Virtual SIM Profile Management for Multi-Carrier Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are limited to a single mobile carrier when using a SIM card, requiring multiple SIM cards for different carriers and cumbersome changes when switching carriers, especially when using multiple mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A mobile hub system that allows users to select profiles for different mobile networks based on criteria such as price and quality of service, automatically authenticating and configuring mobile devices to switch between networks without the need for physical SIM card changes, ensuring seamless access to preferred networks and consistent user interface across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user uses a SIM card to connect to mobile networks, then the user can authenticate and access mobile services, but the user is limited to a single mobile carrier and must physically change SIM cards to switch carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the SIM card functionality through software (virtual SIM card) that can store and manage multiple carrier profiles. Instead of using a single physical SIM card, the system maintains digital replicas of SIM credentials for multiple carriers, allowing users to switch between them through software selection rather than physical card changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual SIM card system serves multiple functions within a single device: it can store credentials for multiple carriers, automatically select appropriate networks based on user-defined criteria, and provide seamless switching between different mobile network operators. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate physical SIM cards for each carrier.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user carries multiple SIM cards for different carriers, then the user can access multiple mobile networks, but the user must manually change SIM cards which is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple carrier profiles and authentication credentials in the virtual SIM card before they are needed. User preferences, network criteria, and selection rules are established in advance, enabling automatic and instantaneous switching between carriers without requiring manual intervention or time-consuming physical card changes when switching is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual SIM card system provides self-service by automatically monitoring network conditions, evaluating available carriers against user-defined criteria, and switching between networks without user intervention. The system autonomously manages the complexity of multi-carrier access, freeing the user from the manual task of physically changing SIM cards while maintaining access to multiple mobile networks.
3Reliability
If a SIM card stores network-specific information for authentication, then the user can securely connect to mobile networks, but the user cannot easily switch between different carriers without replacing the SIM card
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SIM card functionality by separating the secure authentication module from the network selection logic. The virtual SIM card maintains secure storage of authentication credentials for multiple carriers while allowing flexible software-based selection of which carrier to use. This segmentation enables both secure authentication (by preserving intact SIM security modules) and easy switching (by allowing software to select between multiple stored profiles).
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile hub can receive from a mobile device a selection of a first user profile from a listing of a plurality of user profiles of a user of the mobile device that are stored on the mobile hub. Responsive to receiving the selection of the first user profile, a first of a plurality of mobile networks indicated in the first user profile as being available to the user can be identified. The first mobile network can satisfy at least a first user specified criterion associated with the first user profile. A subscriber authentication associated with the user profile can be selected. The subscriber authentication can be configured to authenticate the user with the first of the plurality of mobile networks and configured to be processed by the first mobile device to automatically establish presence on the first mobile network. The subscriber authentication can be communicated to the mobile device.