Virtual UE Instances for Concurrent Multi-SIM Attachments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication devices can only establish a single wireless communication session using a physical SIM, limiting the ability to concurrently access multiple wireless communication services or networks from a single device, which is essential for users requiring separate subscriptions or security segregation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a physical user equipment (UE) that supports multiple concurrent virtual UE instances, each using a distinct eSIM profile to establish separate wireless communication sessions with different radio access networks, allowing for simultaneous access to multiple wireless communication services or networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a physical SIM is used in conventional wireless communication devices, then the device can establish a single wireless communication session, but the device cannot concurrently access multiple wireless communication services or networks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to access multiple wireless communication servicesVSAvoidDevice structure for supporting multiple sessions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single SIM functionality into multiple virtual SIM instances (vSIMs) that can coexist within a single physical SIM card. Each virtual SIM instance maintains separate subscription credentials and can independently establish wireless communication sessions, allowing the device to access multiple services concurrently without requiring multiple physical SIM cards or devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal SIM structure that can function as both a single SIM and multiple virtual SIMs simultaneously. The physical SIM card contains a virtualization layer that enables it to present multiple identity profiles to the network, making a single device capable of performing the functions of multiple devices with different SIMs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physical SIM cards are used to access different service providers, then concurrent access to multiple services is possible, but the device requires multiple SIM slots and physical SIM cards

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccess to different service providersVSAvoidNumber of physical SIM cards required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple SIM card functionalities into a single physical SIM card by implementing virtual SIM instances within one card. Instead of requiring separate physical SIM cards for different service providers, the system combines multiple subscription profiles into one unified physical medium, reducing the quantity of physical SIM cards from multiple to one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of SIM functionality within a single physical SIM card. Each virtual SIM instance is a software-based replication of traditional SIM functionality, allowing multiple identity profiles to exist simultaneously in the same physical medium without requiring additional physical cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If a single device is used for both private and professional communications, then device portability is improved, but communication security and segregation are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDevice portabilityVSAvoidCommunication security segregation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments communication identities into separate virtual SIM instances, each with its own security context and subscription credentials. This allows a user to maintain distinct private and professional communication profiles within a single device, ensuring that communications from different contexts remain segregated and secure while maintaining device portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11706830B2Multi-active electronic subscriber identity module profiles for multi-service user equipment

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A wireless communication device for establishing two different user equipment (UE) radio access network (RAN) attachments. The wireless communication device comprises an application processor; a baseband processor; a non-transitory memory; a virtual user equipment (UE) application stored in the non-transitory memory that, when executed by the application processor as a first virtual UE instance accesses a first eSIM profile stored in the non-transitory memory, establishes a first UE attachment to a radio access network based on credentials accessed from the first eSIM profile, and conducts a first wireless communication session via the first UE attachment, and when executed by the application processor as a second virtual UE application instance accesses a second eSIM profile stored in the non-transitory memory, establishes a second UE attachment to a radio access network based on credentials accessed from the second eSIM profile, and conducts a second wireless communication session via the second UE attachment.