Virtual SIM Connection Verification via Dual-Module Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for establishing a virtual SIM card network connection do not effectively handle abnormalities during connection establishment, leading to user-manual intervention for troubleshooting and increased latency due to repetitive disconnection and reconnection processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus where a first communication module establishes a connection and sends an instruction message to a second communication module to disconnect a second connection, with the second module maintaining the connection if the message is not received within a predetermined time, allowing for automatic verification of connection availability and reducing user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the real SIM card connection is disconnected after virtual SIM card information is acquired, then the virtual SIM card connection can be established, but if connection establishment fails or data communication does not work, the user must manually determine the fault and restart the terminal, increasing latency and user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic connection managementVSAvoiduser latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal monitors whether data communication actually works after establishing a virtual SIM card connection. If monitoring indicates connection failure or data communication failure, the terminal automatically triggers a feedback process to reconnect using the real SIM card, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own connection status and autonomously switching between real SIM card and virtual SIM card connections based on actual data communication performance, without requiring user intervention for fault determination or terminal restart.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the real SIM card connection is disconnected after IP address acquisition through virtual SIM card, then the virtual SIM card connection is fully established, but abnormalities during connection establishment are not considered, requiring manual intervention when connection fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment processVSAvoidconnection establishment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the real SIM card connection as a backup before fully committing to the virtual SIM card connection. The terminal monitors data communication during the transition process and is prepared to immediately switch back to the real SIM card connection if abnormalities occur, ensuring connection reliability without complicating the user operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If repetitive disconnection and networking operations are performed to reestablish real SIM card dial-up connection, then the connection can be restored, but user latency increases and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection restorationVSAvoidreconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the real SIM card connection active in the background during virtual SIM card connection attempts. When connection failure is detected, the terminal can immediately switch back to the pre-existing real SIM card connection without requiring repetitive disconnection and reconnection operations, thereby reducing reconnection time and maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3310119B1Method and apparatus for processing network connection
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 ZTE CORP
  • EP3310119B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3310119B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3310119B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Provided are a method and apparatus for processing a network connection. The method comprises the following steps: after a first communication module establishes a first connection with a network, a second communication module receives an indication message sent by the first communication module within a pre-determined time (SI02), wherein the indication message is used for instructing the second communication module to disconnect a second connection established with the network; and the first communication module being connected to a first subscriber identity module (SIM) card in a terminal, and the second communication module being connected to a second SIM card in the terminal (S104). By means of the present invention, the problem in the prior art that a connection cannot be established or data communication cannot be performed after the connection is established caused in the process of a virtual SIM card establishing a network connection is solved, thereby realizing automatic verification of the connection availability of the virtual SIM card without manual involvement of a user, and thus improving the user experience.