Virtual SIM Manager for Mobile Device Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face battery life reduction due to power consumption by SIM cards, even when in power saving modes, as they often need to be brought out of these modes for device and network operations, leading to inefficiencies in power management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual SIM that replicates the physical SIM, allowing the physical SIM to remain in a power-off mode for extended periods by using a SIM manager to handle operations traditionally performed by the physical SIM, thereby reducing power draw and enhancing battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a physical SIM card is used for wireless communications, then device functionality is maintained, but battery life is reduced due to continuous power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual SIM card that is a software copy of the physical SIM card. This virtual SIM resides in the device's memory and can perform SIM functions without requiring the physical SIM card to be active, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual SIM acts as an intermediary between the device and the physical SIM card. It handles most SIM operations locally in memory, only communicating with the physical SIM when necessary, thus reducing the frequency and duration of power consumption associated with the physical SIM.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the physical SIM card is placed in power saving mode, then power consumption is reduced, but device operations are impaired when SIM functionality is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual SIM provides a functional copy that can operate independently of the physical SIM's power state. When the physical SIM is in power saving mode, the virtual SIM can still handle device operations, ensuring continuous functionality without compromising power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between using the virtual SIM and the physical SIM based on operational needs and power state. The SIM manager can activate the physical SIM only when its specific functions are required, creating a dynamic power management strategy that balances availability and consumption.
3Reliability
If the physical SIM card remains active for device operations, then operational reliability is maintained, but unnecessary power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual SIM serves as a reliable alternative that can perform most SIM functions without requiring the physical SIM to be active. This eliminates unnecessary power consumption while maintaining operational reliability, as the virtual SIM can handle routine operations independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM manager monitors operational needs and power state, providing feedback to determine when the physical SIM must be activated. This feedback mechanism ensures the physical SIM is activated only when its specific functions are needed, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques to manage a subscriber identity module for a mobile wireless device are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device having a subscriber identity module (SIM) manager that when executed by a processor is operative to manage a physical SIM stored on a removable storage unit for the mobile computing device and a virtual SIM stored on a non-removable storage unit for the mobile computing device, the virtual SIM comprising contents copied from the physical SIM to allow the virtual SIM to perform operations on behalf of the physical SIM. Other embodiments are described and claimed.