Methods for performing a remote management of a multi-subscription sim module, and corresponding sim module and computer program product

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016285493-A1
Application number	US-201514974277-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 18, 2015
Priority date	Mar 23, 2015
Publication date	Sep 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method is for performing a remote management of a multi-subscription SIM module. The method may include receiving a remote management message from a remote host, the remote management message having a remote management command, and a sender/destination address, and processing the remote management message to determine the sender/destination address. The method may include determining a target profile of the remote management command based upon the sender/destination address, the target profile being from the first and second profiles, and executing the remote management command for the respective content of the target profile.

First claim

1 - 13 . (canceled)

14 . A method for performing a remote management of a multi-subscription subscriber identity (SIM) card, the multi-subscription SIM card comprising at least one memory configured to store first and second profiles respectively associated with first and second mobile network operators, and respective content associated with each profile, the method comprising:
receiving a remote management message from a remote host, the remote management message comprising a remote management command, and at least one sender/destination address; processing the remote management message to determine the at least one sender/destination address; determining a target profile of the remote management command based upon the at least one sender/destination address, the target profile being from the first and second profiles; and executing the remote management command for the respective content of the target profile.

15 . The method according to claim 14 wherein the respective content comprises at least one of a SIM module and authentication data; wherein the SIM module is configured to access a mobile network of the first mobile network operator with the authentication data of the first profile and a mobile network of the second mobile network operator with the authentication data of the second profile; wherein the remote management message is encrypted; and wherein the SIM module is configured to decrypt the encrypted remote management message with at least one of an Over The Air (OTA) key, and a file system (FS).

16 . The method according to claim 14 wherein a first phone number is associated with the first profile; wherein a second phone number is associated with the second profile; wherein the remote management message comprises receiving a short message with a sender phone number and a destination phone number; and further comprising determining the target profile of the remote management command based upon at least one of the sender phone number and the destination phone number.

17 . The method according to claim 16 wherein a first internet protocol (IP) address is associated with the first profile; wherein a second IP address is associated with the second profile; wherein the receiving of the remote management message from the remote host comprises receiving an IP packet, the IP packet comprising the remote management message, a sender IP address, and a destination IP address; and further comprising determining the target profile of the remote management command based upon at least one of the sender IP address and the destination IP address.

18 . The method according to claim 17 wherein the determining of the target profile of the remote management command comprises:
setting the target profile to the first profile when the destination phone number corresponds to the first phone number;
setting the target profile to the first profile when the destination IP address corresponds to the first IP address;
setting the target profile to the second profile when the destination phone number corresponds to the second phone number; and
setting the target profile to the second profile when the destination IP address corresponds to the second IP address.

19 . The method according to claim 17 wherein the determining of the target profile of the remote management command comprises:
determining whether at least one of the sender phone number and the sender IP address is associated with a mobile network of one of the first and the second mobile network operators;
setting the target profile to the first profile when at least one of the sender phone number and the sender IP address is associated with the mobile network of the first mobile network operator; and
setting the target profile to the second profile when at least one of the sender phone number and the sender IP address is associated with the mobile network of the second mobile network operator.

20 . The method according to claim 14 further comprising:
opening a first socket connection for the first profile and a second socket connection for the second profile, the receiving of the remote management message from the remote host comprising receiving an IP packet through one of the first and second socket connections, the IP packet comprising the remote management message;
setting the target profile to the first profile when the IP packet has been received through the first socket connection; and
setting the target profile to the second profile when the IP packet has been received through the second socket connection.

21 . The method according to claim 14 further comprising:
performing a request for a first uniform resource locator (URL) for the first profile;
performing a request for a second URL for the second profile, the receiving of the remote management message from the remote host comprising receiving a response IP packet in response to the requests for the first and second URLs, the response IP packet comprising the remote management message;
setting the target profile to the first profile when the response IP packet is received in response to the request to the first second URL; and
setting the target profile to the second profile when the response IP packet is received in response to the request to the second URL.

22 . A computer-program product loaded on a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising portions of software code for implementing a method for performing a remote management of a multi-subscription subscriber identity (SIM) card, the multi-subscription SIM card comprising at least one memory configured to store first and second profiles respectively associated with first and second mobile network operators, and respective content associated with each profile, the method comprising:
receiving a remote management message from a remote host, the remote management message comprising a remote management command, and at least one sender/destination address; processing the remote management message to determine the at least one sender/destination address; determining a target profile of the remote management command based upon the at least one sender/destination address, the target profile being from the first and second profiles; and executing the remote management command for the respective content of the target profile.

23 . The computer-program product according to claim 22 wherein the respective content comprises at least one of a SIM module and authentication data; wherein the SIM module is configured to access a mobile network of the first mobile network operator with the authentication data of the first profile and a mobile network of the second mobile network operator with the authentication data of the second profile; wherein the remote management message is encrypted; and wherein the SIM module is configured to decrypt the encrypted remote management message with at least one of an Over The Air (OTA) key, and a file system (FS).

24 . The computer-program product according to claim 22 wherein a first phone number is associated with the first profile; wherein a second phone number is associated with the second profile; wherein the remote management message comprises receiving a short message with a sender phone number and a destination phone number; and wherein the method further comprises determining the target profile of the remote management command based upon at least one of the sender phone number and the destination phone number.

25 . A multi-subscription subscriber identity (SIM) card comprising:
at least one processor; and at least one memory configured to store first and second profiles respectively associated with first and second mobi

Assignees

• St Microelectronics Srl

Inventors

• Veneroso Amedeo

Classifications

• H04L67/306

  User profiles · CPC title

• H04L63/0853

  using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234) · CPC title

• H04B1/3816 Primary

  Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices · CPC title

• H04L67/025

  for remote control or remote monitoring of applications · CPC title

• H04W8/183

  Processing at user equipment or user record carrier · CPC title