WO2016005795A1

WO2016005795A1 - Method and apparatus for managing multiple profiles of subscriber identity modules

Info

Publication number: WO2016005795A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/063034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Fratti; Philippe BARRAUD; Alain MARCHILDON; Paul FOROSTOWSKY
Original assignee: Marco Fratti; Barraud Philippe; Marchildon Alain; Forostowsky Paul
Priority date: 2014-07-11
Filing date: 2014-07-11
Publication date: 2016-01-14

Abstract

Method and apparatus for managing multiple profiles of Subscriber Identity Modules. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a mobile device containing a baseband processor integrated circuit and further comprising computer program code (High-Layer Application) included in one computer-readable memory of said mobile device; a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) device, coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, containing an Active Subscriber Profile and allowing circuit switched and packet switched registration to a core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC), said SIM device hosted in a first computer-readable memory of said mobile device and further comprising computer program code (Applet); multiple Simulacra of as many Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), each Simulacrum containing a Standby Subscriber Profile and being coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, said multiple Simulacra hosted in a second computer-readable memory of said mobile device and organized in one or more Simulacra lists; a Profile Server having a wireless data communication with said SIM device via said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, the Profile Server comprising one computer-readable memory including computer program code.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE PROFILES OF SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless systems that allow mobile devices to authenticate and register to wireless networks (e.g. cellular networks, WiFi networks, etc.) using access control techniques based on Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) devices.

[0002] 2. Access Control Technologies in Wireless Systems

In wireless telecommunication systems, access control techniques provide the essential services of authorization, identification and authentication, access approval, and accountability where: authorization specifies what a subscriber can do; identification and authentication ensure that only legitimate subscribers can log on to a system; access approval grants access during operations, by association of subscriber with the resources (like services, applications, content) that they are allowed to access, based on the authorization policy; accountability identifies what a subject did.

These access control techniques are generally provided via "access control clients" which are logical entities embedded in hardware / software modules.

Common examples of access control clients include:

The Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) application , allowing access control procedures on 3^rd Generation (3G) and 4^th Generation Long-Term Evolution (4G LTE) networks

The Removable Universal Identity Module (RUIM) application, allowing access control procedures on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks

The Interworking Wireless Local Area Network (l-WLAN) application, allowing access control procedures on WiFi networks tightly coupled to cellular networks, in order to provide "WiFi offloading" of cellular network data traffic

[0003] 3. Existing Implementations of Access Control Clients

Existing USIM/RUIM/I-WLAN implementation solutions are hard-coded inside a physical card media, such as the Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC); such card media are generally known as "Smart Cards", or - more commonly - "SIM cards". Whilst SIM card offer several benefits in terms of security, they have limitations in terms of network access; in general, SIM cards contain a unique International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI), which binds the access control client to a single associated network. The so- called 'Multi-IMS!' SIM cards allow accessing multiple associated networks: a 'standby' IMSI can replace the 'active' one for registering onto an alternative network, for instance in case of roaming. The 'Multi- IMSI' SIM cards impose a specific, predictable behavior on the supporting mobile device: such behavior can be ensured only by operating and maintaining complex and expensive databases.

[0004] 4. An Alternative Implementation of Access Control Clients

In a recent patent (US 2012/0117635) it was shown that a software emulation of an access control client security device (a so-called Electronic SIM - eSIM) can be downloaded on a software emulation of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). Different eSIM can be associated to a customer and be downloaded using 'Over-the-Air' (OTA) techniques. It is claimed that this implementation allows a more flexible distribution of subscriber identities while still maintaining backward compatibility with current physical card media distribution schemes. Although very flexible, this implementation implies heavy changes in mobile device software and - ultimately - the mobile device replacement. [0005] Thus, improved solutions are required for a flexible implementation of Access Control Clients in order to insure:

The level of security obtainable with commonly used SIM devices

The possibility to operate on different associated networks, without the implementation constraints of the 'Multi-IMSI' solutions

Avoiding the mobile phone replacement and, in specific implementation embodiment, the SIM device replacement

The possibility to associate instantly the most suitable access network to a specific service network

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

[0006] The following terms and definitions will be employed throughout the description

[0007] Subscriber Identity Module (SIM): it will refer to the physical media that contains:

The access control client applications (USIM, l-WLAN, etc.)

The 'Active' Subscriber Profile

In addition, the SIM may contain (if necessary) one or more JavaCard™ applications, in accordance to the Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) Application Toolkit (USAT) specified in the related 3GPP Technical Specification 31.111.

The physical media can consist of either a plastic card inserted in an appropriate card receptacle or a non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEP OM or FLASH memory of the mobile device

[0008] SIM Simulacrum: a logic software module, organized in form of emulating a SIM, such SIM Simulacrum containing the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile;

In addition, the SIM Simulacrum may contain (if necessary) one or more JavaCard™ applications, in accordance to the 3GPP Technical Specification 31.111.

[0009] Subscriber Profile:

The set of features that is required for subscribers to take full advantage of the services provided by wireless networks.

A Subscriber Profile addresses the main use cases, including:

Seamless management of the end user connectivity over multiple types of wireless networks Convenient and secure access to the services supported by the wireless networks

Efficient remote administration of the subscriber data via Over-The-Air' (OTA) techniques

The Subscriber Profile contains - among others - a file system comprising the so-called Elementary Files

(EF), necessary for supporting the different access control client applications (USIM, l-WLAN, etc.).

The Subscriber Profile contained in the SIM is denoted as 'Active' , since it allows registration and service consumption over a currently associated network.

The Subscriber Profile contained in a SIM Simulacrum is denoted as 'Standby' , since it can replace the current 'Active' profile of the SIM for allowing registration and service consumption over an alternative associated network.

[0010] Profile Server: a repository of SIM Simulacra, associating one or more SIM Simulacra to a subscriber

[0011] Mobile Device High-Layer Application: a software application residing in the highest layer of a mobile device software stack. Such type of application is either available on a 'store' (such as the 'Apple Store' or the Google's 'Play Store') or is pre-installed by a network operator, or is available on the network operator' private 'store'; in the latter case, the High-Layer Application can be downloaded and activated on the mobile device at the first registration on the operator's network. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that any existing method can be adopted for installing and managing the High-Layer application.

[0012] Mobile Device Kernel Application: a software application residing in the operating system Kernel of the mobile device; it allows monitoring / controlling the behavior of the mobile device modem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by providing, inter alia, apparatus and methods for near-real-time replacement of an 'Active' Subscriber Profile, allowing operations on a first associated network, by a 'Standby' Subscriber Profile, allowing operations on a second associated network.

[0014] In a first aspect of the invention, a method for wirelessly provisioning and activating subscriber profile data in a mobile device is disclosed, such mobile device containing:

A baseband processor integrated circuit coupled to (i) a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) device which contains an Active Subscriber Profile and further comprises computer program code (Applet)and (ii) to multiple Simulacra of as many SIM devices, each Simulacrum containing a Standby Subscriber Profile, said multiple Simulacra being stored in a computer-readable memory of said mobile device;

A computer program code (High-Layer Application) included in one computer-readable memory of said mobile device.

In one embodiment, the method comprises: programming the International Mobile Subscribed Identity (IMSI) of the SIM device and each IMSI of a respective Simulacrum in such a way that at least one of the IMSI components, Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC), Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN) differ among IMSIs; registering said mobile device to a core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) in correspondence of a first radio access network, said first radio access network associated to said Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM device; establishing a data communication over a first interface between said High-Layer Application and a Profile Server, said data communication consisting of advertisement information from said High-Layer Application to the Profile Server; responsive to said advertisement information, establishing a data communication over a second interface between said Profile Server and said SIM device Applet, said data communication instructing said SIM device Applet to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM device by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in one selected Simulacrum, the selection information provided by said Profile Server; following said profile replacement command, the SIM device Applet (i) replacing the Active Subscriber Profile content with the content of the Standby Subscriber Profile and (ii) performing SIM device re-initialization; registering said mobile device to a core network with a second Mobile Network Code (MNC) in correspondence of a second radio access network, said second radio access network associated to said Standby Subscriber Profile of said selected Simulacrum.

[0015] The method described in said first aspect of the invention further comprises establishing a data communication over a third interface between said core network and said Profile Server, said data communication consisting of advertisement information from said core network to said Profile Server. [0016] In respect to said first aspect of the invention, the Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM device and the Standby Subscriber Profile of any Simulacrum allows network registration to at least: a circuit switched radio access technology selected from a group consisting of: Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) IxRTT, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); a packet switched radio access technology selected from a group consisting of: Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); a local radio access technology selected from a group consisting of: Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Interworking WLAN (l-WLAN)

[0017] In one embodiment of said first aspect of the invention, the Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM device allows registering to a core network via a first radio access network, said Active Subscriber Profile including at least the following Elementary Files (EF): the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EF_!Msi); the Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_HPLMN_WA_CT); the Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN); the Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN); the Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_0PLMN_WACT); the Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP_|_P); the Operator Controlled Wireless Local Area Network Specific IDentifier List Elementary File (EF₀WSIDL)-

[0018] In another embodiment of said first aspect of the invention, the Standby Subscriber Profile of said selected Simulacrum allows registering to a core network via a second radio access network, said Standby Subscriber Profile including at least the following Elementary Files (EF): the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EF_!Msi); the Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_HPLMN_WA_CT); the Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN); the Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN); the Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_0PLMN_WACT); the Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP.|_P); the Operator Controlled Wireless Local Area Network Specific IDentifier List Elementary File (EF₀WSIDL)- [0019] In one variant of the method, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EF_!Msi) of said Active Subscriber Profile and the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EF_!Msi) of said Standby Subscriber Profile differ in all components, Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (M NC), Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN).

[0020] In another variant of the method, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EFIMSI) of said Active Subscriber Profile and the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EFIMSI) of said Standby Subscriber Profile differ in the Mobile Country Code (MCC).

[0021] In one embodiment of said first aspect of the invention, said advertisement information from said High-Layer Application to said Profile Server contains a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following notifications: the mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and experiences a reduction in radio coverage that cannot guarantee an adequate quality of service; the mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and a better radio coverage can be obtained by registering on a second radio access network with a second Mobile Network Code (M NC); an application or content request is made by the subscriber of the mobile device, said request triggering a Service Network (SN) connection setup request by the mobile device; the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device; any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost.

[0022] In another embodiment of said first aspect of the invention, said advertisement information from said core network to said Profile Server contains a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following notifications: circuit switched and packet switched network attach and registration following a mobile device switch on operation; a location update information; the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network due to network congestion or failure conditions; the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device; any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost.

[0023] In yet another embodiment of said first aspect of the invention, said data communication over said second interface may further comprise at least one of the following commands from said Profile Server to said SIM device Applet: adding or deleting one or more Simulacra; modifying the Standby Subscriber Profile of one or more Simulacra.

[0024] In a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a mobile device containing a baseband processor integrated circuit and further comprising computer program code (High-Layer Application) included in one computer-readable memory of said mobile device; a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) device, coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, containing an Active Subscriber Profile and allowing circuit switched and packet switched registration to a core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC), said SIM device hosted in a first computer-readable memory of said mobile device and further comprising computer program code (Applet); multiple Simulacra of as many Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), each Simulacrum containing a Standby Subscriber Profile and being coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, said multiple Simulacra hosted in a second computer-readable memory of said mobile device and organized in one or more Simulacra lists; a Profile Server having a wireless data communication with said SIM device via said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, the Profile Server comprising one computer-readable memory including computer program code.

[0025] In one embodiment of said second aspect of the invention, the Applet included in said SIM device further comprises: a Profile Manager logic module operable to replace the Active Subscriber Profile contained in said SIM device by a Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum, said particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided either by said Profile Server or by said High-Layer Application or by a Session Manager logic module; a Over- The-Air (OTA) Manager logic module operable to (i) add a Simulacrum to an existing Simulacrum list, or (ii) delete a Simulacrum from an existing Simulacrum list, or (iii) add or delete a Simulacrum list, said Simulacrum list containing multiple Simulacra, the add / delete information provided by said Profile Server, or (iv) update at least one Elementary File (EF) of the Active Subscriber Profile, the update information provided by said Profile Server and consisting of the content of the at least one Elementary File (EF) to be updated; a Session Manager logic module operable to: detect an indication relating to particular services that said mobile device would like to use via said Active Subscriber Profile and a first associated radio access network; select one particular Simulacrum from said plurality of Simulacra, said selected Simulacrum containing a Standby Subscriber Profile associated to a second radio access network, wherein said Standby Subscriber Profile is determined to be better suited to said mobile device; transmit said selected Simulacrum information to said Profile Manager logic module.

[0026] In a third aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: configuring the High-Layer Application of the mobile device for sending advertisement messages to the computer program code of the Profile Server via a first radio access network, said advertisement messages containing a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following information: the mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and experiences a reduction in radio coverage that cannot guarantee an adequate quality of service; the mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and a better radio coverage can be obtained by registering on a second radio access network with a second Mobile Network Code (MNC); an application or content request is made by the subscriber of the mobile device, said request triggering a Service Network (SN) connection setup request by the mobile device; The mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device; any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost.

[0027] In a fourth aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: configuring the computer program code of the Profile Server for receiving advertisement messages from a core network on which a mobile device is registered via a first radio access network, said advertisement messages containing a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following information: circuit switched and packet switched network attach and registration following a mobile device switch on operation;

a location update information; the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device; any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost.

[0028] In a fifth aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: configuring the computer program code of the Profile Server for sending a profile replacement message to said SIM device Applet, said profile replacement message following said advertisement message received from the High-Layer Application of the mobile device, said profile replacement message instructing the SIM device Applet to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM device by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided the Profile Server.

[0029] In a sixth aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: (i) configuring the computer program code of the Profile Server for sending a profile replacement message to said SIM device Applet, said profile replacement message following said advertisement message received from a core network on which a mobile device is registered via a first radio access network, said profile replacement message instructing the SIM device Applet to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM device by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided by the Profile Server, said advertisement message containing at least one of the following information: the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network due to network congestion or failure conditions; the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device; any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost.

(ii) Configuring the computer program code of the Profile Server for sending a Simulacrum list update message to said SIM device Applet, said Simulacrum list update message containing instructions to add a Simulacrum to an existing Simulacrum list, or to delete a Simulacrum from an existing Simulacrum list, or to add or delete a Simulacrum list, said Simulacrum list containing multiple Simulacra; said Simulacrum list update message following said advertisement message received from a core network on which a mobile device is registered via a first radio access network, said advertisement message containing at least one of the following information: circuit switched and packet switched network attach and registration following a mobile device switch on operation; a location update information

[0030] In one embodiment of said second aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: a card receptacle, the card receptacle configured to permit inclusion of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, containing said Active Subscriber Profile and allowing circuit switched and packet switched registration to said core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC), said SIM card further comprising computer program code (Applet) included in one computer-readable memory of said SIM card; multiple Simulacra of as many Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), each Simulacrum containing said Standby Subscriber Profile and being coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, said Simulacra being organized in one or more Simulacra lists, said Simulacra lists hosted in a non-volatile memory of said mobile device.

[0031] In another embodiment of said second aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: a card receptacle, the card receptacle configured to permit inclusion of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, containing said Active Subscriber Profile and allowing circuit switched and packet switched registration to said core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC), said SIM card further comprising computer program code (Applet) included in one computer-readable memory of said SIM card;

Multiple Simulacra of as many Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), each Simulacrum containing said Standby Subscriber Profile and being coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, said Simulacra being organized in one or more Simulacra lists, said Simulacra lists being hosted in a non-volatile memory of said SIM card; a SIM card application (Applet), hosted in a dedicated non-volatile memory of said SIM card, further comprising: a Profile Manager logic module operable to replace the Active Subscriber Profile contained in said SIM card by a Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum, said particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided either by said Profile Server or by said High-Layer Application or by a Session Manager logic module; an Over-The-Air (OTA) Manager logic module operable to add a Simulacrum to an existing Simulacrum list, or to delete a Simulacrum from an existing Simulacrum list, or to add or delete a Simulacrum list, said Simulacrum list containing multiple Simulacra, the add / delete information provided by said Profile Server; a Session Manager logic module operable to: detect an indication relating to particular services that said mobile device would like to use via said Active Subscriber Profile and a first associated radio access network; select one particular Simulacrum from said plurality of Simulacra, said selected Simulacrum containing a Standby Subscriber Profile associated to a second radio access network, wherein said Standby Subscriber Profile is determined to be better suited to said mobile device; transmit said selected Simulacrum information to said Profile Manager logic module.

[0032] In a seventh aspect of the invention, a method for a Profile Server is disclosed, the method comprising a first interface to communicate with a High-Layer Application of a mobile device, and a second interface to communicate with a SIM card Applet of said mobile device via a OTA device, the method comprising:

receiving advertisement information from the High-Layer Application of a mobile device via the first interface, said information containing a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following notifications: the mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and experiences a reduction in radio coverage that cannot guarantee an adequate quality of service; the mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and a better radio coverage can be obtained by registering on a second radio access network with a second Mobile Network Code (MNC); an application or content request is made by the subscriber of the mobile device, said request triggering a Service Network (SN) connection setup request by the mobile device; the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device; any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost;

processing the advertisement information in a Profile Server Central Logic program code of the Profile Server and deciding, according to pre-configured policy data rules, whether profile replacement is necessary in the SIM card of said mobile device;

sending a profile replacement message to a OTA Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet, said profile replacement message instructing said Profile Manager to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided the Profile Server.

replacing the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum, the replacement operation performed by the Profile Manager logic module of said SIM device Applet following said Simulacrum selection information provided by the Profile Server. [0033] In one embodiment of said seventh aspect of the invention, the step of sending provides Simulacrum selection information to said OTA Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet, the selection information consisting of the content of an Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN), the first entry of said EF_EHPLMN identifying the selected Simulacrum, the second entry of said EF_EHPLMN identifying an alternative Simulacrum, any additional entry of said EF_EHPLMN identifying a corresponding alternative Simulacrum.

[0034] In another embodiment of said seventh aspect of the invention, the step of replacing refers to a selected Simulacrum chosen among a plurality of Simulacra, each Simulacrum of said plurality conta ining a Standby Subscriber Profile, said plurality of Simulacra being organized in one or more lists and being hosted in a non-volatile memory of said SIM card.

[0035] In yet another embodiment of said seventh aspect of the invention, the step of replacing refers to the Active Subscriber Profile of the SI M card and the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in said selected Simulacrum, said subscriber profiles including at least the following Elementary Files (EF): the Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_HPLMN_WA_CT); the Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN); the Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_0PLMN_WACT); the Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP_|_P); the Operator Controlled Wireless Local Area Network Specific IDentifier List Elementary File (EF₀WSIDL);

[0036] In one variant of said seventh aspect of the invention :

said OTA Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet interprets the selection information consisting of the content of an Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN) and performs a file update operation on the EF_EHPLMN of the Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM card;

A Profile Manager logic module of said SIM card detects the update of said EF_EHPLMN and triggers replacement operations on at least the following Elementary Files (EF): the Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_HPLMN_WA_CT) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_HPLMNwAcT of the Standby Subscriber Profile; the Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_FPLMN of the Standby Subscriber Profile; the Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_0PLMN_WACT) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_0PLMN_WACT of the Standby Subscriber Profile; the Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP.|_P) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_NCP.|_P of the Standby Subscriber Profile; the Operator Controlled Wireless Local Area Network Specific IDentifier List Elementary File (EF_0WSIDL) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_0WSIDL of the Standby Subscriber Profile;

The Profile Manager logic module reinitializes said SIM card.

[0037] In another variant of said seventh aspect of the invention said Profile Server has a third interface to a core network onto which said mobile device is registered via a first radio access network in correspondence of said Active Subscriber Profile, and receives from said core network advertisement information, said information containing a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following notifications: the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network due to network congestion or failure conditions; the mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device; any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost.

[0038] In an eight aspect of the invention, a method for a High-Layer Application of a mobile device that has a first interface to communicate with a Profile Server, and an application programming interface to communicate with a SIM card Applet of said mobile device, comprising:

applying policy enforcement rules, said policies being pushed by a Profile Server and being organized in a set of usage rules, a set of parameters, or a set of criteria in order to allow replacing the Active Subscriber Profile of the subscriber identity module (SIM) by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in one of the Simulacra following an application or content request made by the user of the mobile device; triggering a profile replacement message in an Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet, said profile replacement message instructing said Profile Manager to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided by the High-Layer Application,

replacing the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum, the replacement operation performed by the Profile Manager logic module of said SIM device Applet following said Simulacrum selection information provided by the High-Layer Application.

[0039] In one embodiment of said eight aspect of the invention, the step of triggering comprises:

said High-Layer Application assigns a pre-defined alphanumeric string in correspondence of a profile replacement message, said alphanumeric string written in the touch-screen buffer of said mobile device via said application programming interface.

said Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet has a trigger of User Activity event set in correspondence of the pre-defined alphanumeric string;

following the User Activity event detection, said Event Manager logic module interprets said alphanumeric string and instructs the Profile Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet to perform profile replacement operations.

[0040] In a ninth aspect of the invention, a method for a High-Layer Application of a mobile device that has a first interface to communicate with a Profile Server, and an application programming interface to communicate with a SIM card Applet of said mobile device, comprising:

registering said mobile device to a core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) in correspondence of a first radio access network, said first radio access network associated to an Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card;

detecting an application or content request made by the subscriber of said mobile device, said request triggering a Service Network (SN) connection setup request by said mobile device

responsive to said request, applying policy enforcement rules, said policies being pushed by a Profile Server and being organized in a set of usage rules, a set of parameters, or a set of criteria in order to allow replacing the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in one of the Simulacra contained in a non-volatile memory of the SIM card, said Standby Subscriber Profile associated to a second radio access network, wherein said Standby Subscriber Profile is determined to be better suited to grant the connection setup request by said mobile device; starting profile replacement operations on said SIM card Applet by: triggering an Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet by an event set in correspondence of the profile replacement operation; responsive to said trigger, the Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet alerting a Session Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet; responsive to said alert, the Session Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet (i) deferring the connection setup request by said mobile device (ii) alerting a Profile Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet; responsive to said alert, the Profile Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet (i) replacing the Active Subscriber Profile by the Standby Subscriber Profile associated to a second radio access network (ii) triggering registration operations to the core network with a second Mobile Network Code (M NC) in correspondence of the second radio access network

[0041] In one embodiment of said ninth aspect of the invention, said Standby Subscriber Profile includes at least the following Elementary Files (EF): the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File ( EFIMSI); the Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File ( EFHPLMN_WA_CT); the Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN); the Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN); the Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF₀PLMN_WACT); the Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP.|_P); the Operator Controlled Wireless Local Area Network Specific IDentifier List Elementary File (EF₀WSIDL)-

[0042] In another embodiment of said ninth aspect of the invention, said SIM card Applet of said mobile device resumes the connection setup request by:

triggering said Event Manager logic module by an event set in correspondence of a location status information of said mobile device, the location status information following the registration on the core network with said second Mobile Network Code (MNC) in correspondence of said second radio access network;

responsive to said trigger, said Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet alerting said Session Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet;

responsive to said alert, the Session Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet (i) reading from the Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP-IP) the connection parameters corresponding to said connection request (ii) resuming said connection request with a corresponding proactive command sent to said mobile device.

[0043] Other features and advantages of the present invention will immediately be recogn ized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodiments as given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus including a mobile device, an embedded SI M (Subscriber Identity Module), multiple embedded SIM Simulacra, a High-Layer mobile device Application, a core network, multiple access networks, a Profile Server

[0045] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the Profile Server according to the invention [0046] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the mobile device according to the invention, such mobile device containing a baseband processor integrated circuit coupled to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) device and to multiple Simulacra of as many SIMs, each Simulacrum being stored in a computer-readable memory of the mobile device

[0047] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) according to the invention, such SIM storing multiple Simulacra of as many SIMs, each Simulacrum being stored in a computer-readable memory of said SIM.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the method for replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) by a 'Standby¹ Subscriber Profile of a SIM Simulacrum according to the invention.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the method for replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) by a 'Standby¹ Subscriber Profile of a SIM Simulacrum according to the invention.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile of a SIM Simulacrum according to the invention.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a logical flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a generalized method for replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) by a 'Standby' Subscriber Profile of a SIM Simulacrum according to the invention.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating one embodiment of the method for modifying (e.g. adding / deleting / modifying) a SIM Simulacrum List.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating one embodiment of the method for replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) by a 'Standby¹ Subscriber Profile of a SIM Simulacrum, the replacement being triggered by a service / application or content request made by the mobile device user.

[0054] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating one embodiment of the method for replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) by a 'Standby¹ Subscriber Profile of a SIM Simulacrum, the replacement being triggered by an advertisement from the mobile device to the Profile Server.

[0055] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating one embodiment of the method for replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) by a 'Standby¹ Subscriber Profile of a SIM Simulacrum, the replacement being triggered by an advertisement from the Core Network to the Profile Server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0056] Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts throughout Overview

[0057] In one aspect, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for adapting the behavior of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) device to the 'best' possible associated network. Such adaptation takes place by replacing some Elementary Files (EFs) of the SIM Subscriber Profile by the equivalent Elementary Files (EFs) of a SIM Simulacrum. The SIM Simulacrum is a logical (e.g. software) version of a SIM device; it contains a sub-set of the Elementary Files (EFs) and interfaces for performing the Elementary Files (EFs) replacement operation.

The SIM device Subscriber Profile is defined as 'Active', since it allows registration and session management operations over a currently associated network.

The SIM Simulacrum Subscriber Profile is defined as 'Standby': the SIM Simulacrum is a likeness of the SIM device; it does not allow - perse - network registration and session management operations since it does not possess the totality of the SIM device physical and functional components (security circuitry, USIM/ UIM/ISIM applications, etc.).

[0058] In one implementation embodiment multiple SIM Simulacra are present in a non-volatile memory space of the mobile device. Each SIM Simulacrum allows registering to an associated network supporting one or more access technologies, once the SIM Simulacrum 'Standby' profile has replaced the 'Active' profile of the SIM card. The SIM Simulacra are organized according to a priority list, in accordance to the business strategy of the provider.

[0059] In another implementation embodiment multiple SIM Simulacra are present in a non-volatile memory space of the SIM device itself. In particular, the SIM device may be in the form of a SIM card and contain two Security Elements (SE):

A first SE which contains memory data, software instructions and hardware functionalities in order to allow supporting the classical SIM card wireless functionalities.

A second SE which acts as repository of multiple SIM Simulacra, thus containing memory data.

The two SE are separated by the well-known Smart Card™ 'Applet firewall'. Dedicated software instructions must allow the temporary sharing of the two SE memory data, for replacing the 'Active' profile of one SE by the 'Standby' profile of the other SE.

Again, each SIM Simulacrum allows registering to an associated network supporting one or more access technologies, once the SIM Simulacrum 'Standby' profile has replaced the 'Active' profile of the SIM card.

[0060] In one exemplary operation embodiment, the SIM Simulacra are updated (e.g. added/modified/deleted) in accordance to 'long-term' modifications of the mobile device contextual conditions, such as mobile device switch-on and boot operations or roaming (national or international). In this case:

The mobile device performs an attachment to a first associated network or a new attachment to a first visited network.

A Profile Server - physically and logically connected to a core network - receives the attachment or roaming location information; it instructs an 'Over-the-Air' (OTA) equipment to update one or more SIM Simulacrum, according to specific business rules of the provider

Well-known OTA operations take place: the concerned SIM Simulacra are updated, using specialized instruction sets according to the apparatus that stores the Simulacra (e.g. a non-volatile memory space of the mobile device or of the SIM device).

If necessary, and according to the provider business rules, once the SIM Simulacra updates have been completed, a replacement of the 'Active' SIM device profile by a 'Standby' one may take place. In this case, the SIM card device instructs the mobile device to perform a re-initialization, in order to register to a second associated (and/or visited) network. [0061] In another exemplary operation embodiment, the profile replacement procedure takes place during idle operations of the mobile device. Specific operational conditions may trigger the profile replacement procedure, such as:

The mobile device experiences bad coverage conditions. An advertisement is sent to the Profile Server by a dedicated mobile device High-Layer Application; the Profile Server, on its turn, may initiate a profile replacement procedure.

The core network detects bad quality-of-service conditions affecting the mobile device (e.g. network congestion, failure, etc.). An advertisement is sent to the Profile Server by a dedicated core network application; the Profile Server, on its turn, may initiate a profile replacement procedure. Profile replacement during idle operation must imply a minimal service interruption: the mobile device must not perform a full re-initialization; rather, it must change the associated network by means of a detach / attach procedure.

[0062] In respect to the profile replacement procedure, mentioned in section [0061], the Profile Server interacts with:

A software application residing in the operating system Kernel of the mobile device (called 'Mobile Device Kernel Application') in case the SIM device and the SIM Simulacra are hosted in a nonvolatile memory of the mobile device.

A software application residing in SIM device (called 'Applet') in case the SIM Simulacra are hosted in a non-volatile memory of (a dedicated SE of) the SIM device. In this case, the SIM device may be in the well-known form of a SIM card.

[0063] In yet another exemplary operation embodiment, the profile replacement procedure takes place during data session setup procedures. Specific operational conditions or business agreements may trigger the profile replacement procedure in this case, such as the request of a specific application / content from the user: this request can be better served - from the quality / cost viewpoint - by registering to an alternative associated network.

In this case, the session setup operations must be managed by the SIM device: the application / content request must be deferred until the mobile device has completed the operations of:

Detach from the currently serving network

Attach to the alternative, more suitable, serving network

In this case, in order to have a minimal service interruption, handshakes between a SIM device Applet and the Profile Server may be avoided; rather, handshakes between the SIM device Applet and the mobile device High-Layer Application can take place, the High-Layer Application possessing network steering policies enforced by the Profile Server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0064] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail. While these embodiments are primarily discussed in the context of Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) and SIM Simulacra supporting wireless connectivity to GSM, GPRS, UTRAN, E-UTRAN cellular networks and WiFi networks, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill that the present invention is not so limited. In fact, the various aspects of the invention are useful in any wireless network (whether cellular or otherwise, whether public or private) that can benefit from the use of 'Standby¹ Subscriber Profiles stored in SIM Simulacra.

[0065] Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, in certain instances, well known or conventional details are not described in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0066] An exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1 which includes a mobile device 500, which contains a SIM device 530, said SIM device consisting of one of the following non limiting form factors:

A plastic card inserted in an appropriate card receptacle, the plastic card serving as physical support of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC).

A non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEP OM or FLASH memory of the mobile device 500, said memory containing UICC computer-readable instructions and an associated file system.

[0067] The SIM device 530 contains an 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 which, according to the definition of section [0009], allows registration and service consumption over a currently associated network (e.g. the 'Active' associated network), whose Core Network 200 and Access Network 210 components are shown in FIG. 1. The SIM device 530 is interconnected with the low-layer hardware and software components 520 of the mobile device 500. The block 520 is generically denoted as Device OS and HW and consists of the so-called Modem and the Operating System components and drivers, as well known by the skilled in the art.

[0068] The Device OS and HW components 520 of the mobile device 500 communicate with a High Layer Application 510 which, on its turn, has a communication interface (also called first interface) 3050 with a Profile Server 300. As will be shown in the following discussions, in an exemplary application embodiment the High Layer Application 510 reports measurement advertisements to the Profile Server 300, such advertisements being provided by the Device OS and HW component 520.

[0069] The apparatus of FIG. 1 further includes an Over-The-Air (OTA) device 400, which instructs the SIM device 530 of performing specific configuration / reconfiguration operations of its Subscriber Profile, in accordance to policy rules operated by the Profile Server 300. The Profile Server 300 and the SIM device 530 exchange messages via the OTA device 400 by means of a communication interface (also called second interface) 3040.

[0070] The apparatus of FIG. 1 further includes a Core Network 200, whose components are well known by the skilled in the art and comprise typical functionalities of cellular networks such as Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Home Location Register (HLR), Packet Gateway (PGW), Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), etc. In an exemplary implementation embodiment the Core Network 200 includes Interworking Wireless Local Area Network (l-WLAN) functionalities, such as an Authentication, Authorization, Accounting (AAA) server, an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF), etc. This functionality list is not limitative and is provided only for illustrative purposes.

[0071] The apparatus of FIG. 1 further includes a SIM profile, such as the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531. According to the definition of section [0007], the 'SIM' term refers to the physical media that contains:

The access control client applications (USIM, l-WLAN, etc.)

The 'Active' Subscriber Profile For illustrative purposes, the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 allows registration and service consumption over the Core Network 200 via the associated Access Network A 210.

[0072] The apparatus of FIG. 1 further includes a number of SIM Simulacra, such as SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550. According to the definition of section [0008], a SIM Simulacrum is logic software module, organized in form of emulating a SIM and containing a 'Standby' Subscriber Profile. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 1 shows only two SIM Simulacra 540 and 550, whose 'Standby' Subscriber Profiles allow registration and service consumption over the Core Network 200 via the alternative associated access networks such as - respectively - Access Network B 220 and Access Network C 230. Each SIM Simulacrum may be hosted by:

A non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEP OM or FLASH memory of the mobile device 500.

A non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEPROM or FLASH memory of the SIM device 530.

Profile Server

[0073] FIG. 2 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a Profile Server 300. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various business rules may be implemented in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a stand-alone Profile Server 300 may be managed by a service intermediary; in another exemplary embodiment the Profile Server 300 may be managed by the owner of the Core Network 200, such as a mobile network operator.

The Profile Server 300 includes:

[0074] A Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Agreements Data database 301, which contains metadata corresponding to the business agreement rules established between the Profile Server 300 manager and the different MNOs which operate the different access networks, such as Access Network A 210, Access Network B 220 and Access Network C 230.

[0075] A Service Agreements Data database 302, which contains metadata corresponding to the business agreement rules established between the Profile Server 300 manager and different service / application / content providers. As a non-limiting, illustrative example, one of such business rules could stipulate that a specific application, such as YouTube™ of facebook™ are provided free-of-charge to the subscriber if they are consumed over the Access Network B 220.

[0076] A Subscriber Preferences Data database 303, which contains metadata corresponding to the subscriber chosen rules for registering on the different available access networks, such as Access Network A 210, Access Network B 220 and Access Network C 230. As a non-limiting, illustrative example, the subscriber chosen rules could depend on quality-of-service and / or cost requirements.

[0077] A Profile Server Central Logic 304, which contains computer program codes comprising:

Read / write instruction queries from / to the databases 301, 302, 303.

A communication interface (also called third interface) 3020 and an associated protocol for receiving advertisement messages from the Core Network 200, depending on specific conditions such as (i) an adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the current access network due to network congestion or failure conditions, (ii) the mobile device 500 is packet switched network registered and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the current access network in correspondence of a data session request.

The communication interface (also called first interface) 3050 and an associated protocol for receiving advertisement messages from the High Layer Application 510 of the mobile device 500, depending on specific conditions such as (i) an adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the current access network due to a radio coverage reduction, (ii) an application or content request is made by the subscriber of the mobile device 500, with a consequent connection setup request by the mobile device 500

Policy selection rules in order to choose the most appropriate Simulacrum List contained in a Managed List 305. As a non-limiting, illustrative example, following the registration procedures of the mobile device 500 the Profile Server Central Logic 304 recognizes that the Simulacra currently available inside the mobile device 500 non-volatile memory are not suitable to the subscriber location. Consequently, the Profile Server Central Logic 304 chooses an alternative Simulacrum List (such as the Simulacrum list X 315 or the Simulacrum list Y 325) to be made available to the mobile device 500 by means of Over-The-Air (OTA) push operations. The Profile Server Central Logic 304 may also decide to push a pre-defined Default Simulacrum List 335 to the mobile device 500.

Exemplary Mobile Device

[0078] Referring now to FIG. 3, one exemplary embodiment of apparatus useful for implementing the methods of the present invention is illustrated.

[0079] The exemplary mobile device 500 (e.g. UMTS/LTE equipment with WiFi capabilities) is a wireless device with an Applications functional subsystem 501, which contains application clients 'visible' to the subscribers, such as YouTube™ 511 or facebook™ 512. In addition, the subsystem 501 contains the High Layer Application 510 which is 'invisible' to the subscriber and is interconnected (i) on one side with the Device OS and HW subsystem 520, (ii) on another side with the Profile Server 300 via the communication interface 3050, (iii) on yet another side with the applications 511 and 512 via a communication interface 5151.

Messages over the communication interface 5151 allow the High Layer Application 510 intercepting the connection requests to the servers of applications 511 and 512; such interception can trigger a profile replacement request, as will be explained in the following FIG. 10.

[0080] The Controller Unit 521 (part of the Device OS and HW subsystem 520) manages any number of well-known I/O including, without limitation: touch-screen, LCD display, etc., as well as the necessary drivers for communicating with the 'modem' functionalities.

In addition, the Controller Unit 521 controls the touch-screen via an appropriate driver; the touch-screen data are available for read operations by a computer program code (Applet) of the SIM device 530 via a Touch Screen Buffer Application Programming Interface (API) 560.

[0081] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention the Device OS and HW subsystem 520 comprises (i) a wireless interface 2G, 3G, 4G Modem 522, adapted to connect to cellular networks such as UMTS, CDMA, GSM, LTE, EV-DO, HSPA, EDGE, GPRS and (ii) a wireless interface WiFi Modem 523, adapted to connect to a WiFi-type local radio access technology such as WLAN and Interworking WLAN (l-WLAN).

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile device 500 includes a SIM device 530, which consists of (i) a secure element containing and operating a plurality of Access Control Clients, such as the USIM/RUIM/I-WLAN applications and (ii) the 'Active' Subscriber Profile which allows registration and service consumption over the Core Network 200 via a currently associated access network, such as Access Network A 210.

According to the definition in section [0007], the SIM device 530 can consist of a plastic card inserted in an appropriate card receptacle or of a non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEP OM or FLASH memory of the mobile device 500.

[0083] The mobile device 500 also includes a number of SIM Simulacra, such as SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550; these SIM Simulacra contain the respective 'Standby' Subscriber Profiles allowing registration and service consumption over the Core Network 200 via alternative associated access networks such as - respectively - Access Network B 220 and Access Network C 230. Each SIM Simulacrum is hosted by a non-volatile memory element (such as, for example, EEPROM or FLASH memory) of either the SIM device 530 or the mobile device 500.

SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550 are part of a Simulacrum list (such as the Simulacrum list X 315) which has been downloaded in the hosting memory element by the Profile Server 300 by means of a wireless connection between an OTA device 400 and the SIM device 530.

The SIM device 530 and the SIM Simulacra 540, 550 are interconnected via the communication interface 555; this way the SIM device Applet can execute any operation (e.g. add/delete/replace, etc.) on the SIM Simulacra, as will be detailed in the following.

Exemplary implementation of the SIM Device and the SIM Simulacra

[0084] FIG. 4 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a SIM device 530 and of a plurality of SIM Simulacra, such as SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550. It has previously mentioned that:

The SIM device 530 can consist of (i) a plastic card inserted in an appropriate card receptacle, the plastic card serving as physical support of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) or (ii) computer- readable instructions and an associated file system contained in a non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEPROM or FLASH memory of the mobile device 500.

Each SIM Simulacrum may be hosted by (i) a non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEPROM or FLASH memory of the mobile device 500 or (ii) a non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEPROM or FLASH memory of the SIM device 530.

[0085] As a non-limiting, illustrative example, FIG. 4 shows an exemplary implementation embodiment in which:

The SIM device 530 consists of a plastic card, inserted in an appropriate card receptacle, and serving as physical support of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). The SIM device 530 contains the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 'A' 531 which allows registration and service consumption over the Core Network 200 via the associated Access Network A 210.

SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550 (which are part of the Simulacrum list X 315) are hosted by a non-volatile memory of the SIM device 530. Their 'Standby' Subscriber Profiles allow registration and service consumption over the Core Network 200 via alternative associated networks such as - respectively - Access Network B 220 and Access Network C 230.

Of course, persons of ordinary skill will readily recognize various other ways to implement the SIM device 530 and the SIM Simulacra, such as SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550.

[0086] Functional structure of the SIM Device 530 According to FIG. 4, the SIM device 530 functional structure is compliant to the JavaCard™ (e.g.

SmartCard™) technology since it contains:

[0087] A JavaCard™ Runtime Environment (JCRE) 537, responsible for managing the card physical resources and for the JavaCard™ Applet installation, execution and security.

[0088] A Java Card™ firewall 536, responsible for isolating the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 'A' 531, the SIM Simulacrum B 540 and the SIM Simulacrum C 550, and the JCRE 537 in as many security domains, in order to ensure appropriate computer-readable data isolation.

[0089] The card Master File MF and the Integrated Circuit Card IDentity (ICCID) Elementary File, well known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0090] The 'Active' Subscriber Profile 'A' 531 which, on its turn, contains two access control client applications (i) USIM_A (contained in its corresponding Directory File - DF) and (ii) l-WLAN_A (contained in its corresponding Directory File - DF). Those of ordinary skill will recognize that other access control client applications may be present.

[0091] The SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550, each containing a corresponding 'Standby' Subscriber Profile. Again, each 'Standby' Subscriber Profile consists of two access control client applications (i) USIM_B (resp. USIM_C) and (ii) l-WLAN_B (resp. I-WLAN_C)

[0092] A SIM Applet first logic module 532, called 'Profile Manager^{1 '} . Goal of this logic module is to replace the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 by one of the two 'Standby' Subscriber Profiles (540 or 550). The replacement operation is triggered either (i) by the 'OTA Manager¹ logic module 535 which - on its turn - receives a corresponding command by the OTA device 400 or (ii) by the 'Event Manager¹ logic module 534 which - on its turn - receives an trigger event set by the High Layer Application 510. The 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532 interacts with the 'Standby' Subscriber Profiles (540 or 550) via the communication interface 555.

[0093] A SIM Applet second logic module 533, called 'Session Manager¹. Goal of this logic module is to replace the connection parameters (e.g. Access Point Name, Quality-of-Service, etc.) describing a packet switched data connection request received from the High Layer Application 510.

[0094] A SIM Applet third logic module 534, called 'Event Manager". Goal of this logic module is to trigger the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532 by using event-detection techniques, whereas event occurrence is triggered by the High Layer Application 510. In a non-limiting, exemplary implementation embodiment, the High Layer Application 510 fills the Touch Screen Buffer Application Programming Interface (API) 560 - via the communication interface 5153 - with a predefined alphanumeric sequence; the touch-screen alphanumeric sequence data are available for read operations by 'Event Manager¹ logic module 534 via the communication interface 5153. The use of the Touch Screen Buffer Application Programming Interface (API) 560 for event-based communication between the High Layer Application 510 and the 'Event Manager¹ logic module 534 will be explained in the exemplary sequence diagram of FIG. 6.

[0095] A SIM Applet fourth logic module 535, called 'OTA Manager". Besides triggering the profile replacement operations, the logic module 535 is in charge of adding a new SIM Simulacrum list and/or deleting / modifying the current SIM Simulacrum lists. Logic module 535 receives the corresponding instructions from the OTA device 400. Exemplary implementation embodiments for replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile by a 'Standby" one

[0096] Two exemplary embodiment are illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 respectively, in order to show the functionalities and operations involved in the process of replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile by a 'Standby' one.

[0097] According to FIG. 5, the profile replacement process is triggered by the Profile Server 300, following advertisement information received by the High Layer Application 510 via the communication interface (first interface) 3050.

According to FIG. 6, the profile replacement process is triggered by the High Layer Application 510, following the occurrence of specific conditions, such as poor radio coverage or a connection request to a Service Network (SN) which is better fulfilled by a packet switched network associated to the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile contained in one of the Simulacra. In the case of FIG. 6, profile replacement policies have been enforced in the High Layer Application 510 by the Profile Server Central Logic 304 via the communication interface (first interface) 3050.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are not limiting and should be considered as exemplary: those of ordinary skill will recognize that the profile replacement process can be trigger by other elements, such as the Core Network 200.

[0098] Replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile by a 'Standby' one according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 In the sequence diagram of FIG. 5 it is assumed that poor coverage conditions are experienced in the Access Network A 210, currently associated to the mobile device 500 thanks to an Access Control Client that embeds the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531. In step S501, the High Layer Application 510 wirelessly sends advertisement information to the Profile Server 300 via the communication interface 3050, said information containing a poor radio coverage notification. In step S502, the Profile Server Central Logic device 304 decides that a profile replacement operation is necessary: in the shown exemplary embodiment, the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 must be replaced by the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile of the SIM Simulacrum C 550. In step S503, the Profile Server 300 sends the OTA device 400 - via the communication interface (second interface) 3040 - a notification that a profile replacement command should be sent to the mobile device 500; as part of the S503 step message fields, the Profile Server 300 includes the binary values of the new EF_EHPLM_N (the reason will be apparent in the description of the forthcoming Profile Change Flow Chart F532). In steps S504 and S505, an Elementary File update command, related to EF_EHPLMN, is sent from the OTA device 400 to the 'OTA Manager" 535 via the communication interface 3040. On its turn, the 'OTA Manager¹ 535 triggers the 'Profile Manager" logic module 532. Upon receiving such trigger, the execution of the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532 is started (Profile Change Flow-Chart F532 explained in FIG. 8).

[0099] Replacing the 'Active' Subscriber Profile by a 'Standby' one according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 In the sequence diagram of FIG. 6 the same poor coverage conditions as described in FIG. 5 are assumed. The main difference with FIG. 5 is that in the High Layer Application 510 policy decision rules for profile replacement have been enforced by the Profile Server Central Logic 304 via the communication interface (first interface) 3050: this fact allows the High Layer Application 510 being autonomous in taking the profile replacement decision, without the need of a wireless exchange with the Profile Server Central Logic device 304. Said decision is taken in step S601. In step S602, the High Layer Application 510 fills the Touch Screen Buffer Application Programming Interface (API) 560 - via the communication interface 5153 - with a pre-defined alphanumeric character string denoted User Keys, thus emulating user manual operations (it is evident that a specific string format must be defined). In step S603, the 'Event Manager' logic module 534 has a trigger of User Activity event set on the User Keys string; at the occurrence of this User Activity event, the 'Event Manager' logic module 534 triggers the execution of the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532 (Profile Change Flow-Chart F532 explained in the following FIG. 8).

Exemplary structure of the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile

[0100] FIG. 7 illustrates one example of the Elementary File (EF) structure appertaining to the access control client application USIM_C of the SIM Simulacrum C 550 (represented with dashed lines and contours). Following the description of FIG. 7 those of ordinary skills will recognized that similar considerations apply for the EF structure of the access control client application l-WLAN_c.

A Directory File (DF) USIM_C 5511 is the EF system root, under which the following EFs can be accessed: the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File 5312 (EF|_MS|); the Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File 5513 (EF_HPLM_NWACT); the Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File 5514 (EF_EHPLMN); the Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File 5515 (EF_FPLMN); the Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File 5516 (EF_0PLM_NWACT); the Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File 5517 (EF_NCP.|_P).

[0101] FIG. 7 also illustrates the EF structure counterpart (represented with solid lines and contours) appertaining to the access control client application USIM_A of the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 contained in the SIM device 530. A Directory File (DF) USIM_A 5311 is the EF system root, under which the following EFs can be accessed:

the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File 5312 (EF the Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File 5313 (EF_HPLMNwAcT); the Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File 5314 (EF_EHPLM_N); the Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File 5315 (EF_FPLMN); the Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File 5316 (EF_0PLM_NWACT); the Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File 5317 (EF_NCP.|_P).

Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the USIM_A Directory File (DF) structure 5311 represents a subset of the overall DF structure of the USIM_A access control client ; in particular, only the Elementary Files whose content will be replaced by the one of the USIM_C Directory File (DF) structure 5511.

[0102] The EFIM_SI 5312 and its counterpart 5512 may:

(First case) Have no common components: the respective Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC) and Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN) can all be different. (Second case) Have at least one common component: the MCC and/or the MNC.

In a particular embodiment of the second case, only the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and the Mobile Network Code (MNC) can differ between EF 5312 and EF 5512. This means that the MSIN is in common to the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531, to the SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550. More in general, the MSIN is in common among any Simulacrum belonging to a Simulacrum list (such as the Simulacrum list X 315 or the Simulacrum list Y 325): in a particular exemplary embodiment that requires the replacement of the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 by the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile of SIM Simulacrum C 550, this feature allows deregistration from the currently associated Access Network A 210 and subsequent registration over the Core Network 200 via the Access Network C 230 by controlling only the EFEHPLM (5314 and 5514), as those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate.

[0103] According to the second case of section [0102], from the business and regulatory viewpoint, the owner of the Core Network 200 (such as a mobile network operator) operates different Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC), each MCC-MNC couple being assigned to a respective SIM Simulacrum. This way, the last ten digits (e.g. Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN)) of the International Mobile Subscribed Identity (IMSI) will always be in common between the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 and all the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile hosted by a non-volatile memory of the SI M device 530.

Logical flow diagram illustrating 'Active' / 'Standby" Subscriber Profile replacement

[0104] Referring now to FIG. 8, details of the logical flow diagram F532 are presented.

The first step F533 is triggered by step S505 described in FIG. 5, whilst the alternative first step F534 is triggered by step S603 described in FIG. 6.

Step F533 refers to exemplary embodiment of the 'second case' of section [0102] : only the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and the Mobile Network Code (MNC) differ between EF 5312 and EF 5512. The 'Profile Manager' logic module 532 has a trigger of File Update event set on the EF_EHPLMN file- Once the logic module 532 receives this event, the EF_EHPLMN 5314 has been replaced by the EF_EHPLMN 5514. The logic module 532 recognizes that the first MCC-MNC couple of the replaced EF_EHPLMN 5514 belongs to the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile of the access control client application USIM_C 5511, whose EF are stored in a non-volatile memory of the SIM device 530.

Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the EF_EHPLMN 5514 may contain different MCC-MNC couples, organized in order of priority: the first MCC-MNC couple of the EF_EHPLMN identifies the selected Simulacrum (e.g. SIM Simulacrum C 550 according to the described exemplary embodiment), the second MCC-MNC couple of the EF_EHPLMN identifies an alternative Simulacrum, any additional MCC-M NC couple of EF_EHPLMN identifying a corresponding alternative Simulacrum.

[0105] At step F535 the logic module 532 proceeds with the EF replacement process, by replacing:

The EF_HPLMN_WA_CT 5313 content with the EF_HPLMN_WA_CT 5513 one;

The EF_FPLMN 5315 content with the EF_FPLMN 5515 one. Note: those skilled in the art will recognized that the replaced EF_FPLMN content should be preferably cleared with predefined values;

The EF_0PLMN_WACT 5316 content with the EF_0PLMN_WACT 5516 one;

The EF 5317 content with the EF_NCP.|_P 5517 one;

It is worth to note that the EF_EHPLMN 5314 content does not need to be replaced if the first step is F533. Following EF replacement, the logic module 532 executes the proactive SIM command REFRESH mode "Steering-Of-Roaming", well known by those skilled in the art.

[0106] At step F536 and following the received REFRESH command (mode "Steering-Of- Roaming"), the mobile device 500 deregisters from the currently associated Access Network A 210 and registers on the Core Network 200 via the Access Network C 230.

[0107] An alternative implementation embodiment (not shown in FIG. 8) corresponds to the 'first case' of section [0102] : EF|_MS| 5312 and EF|_MS| 5512 have no common component. In this case, the 'Profile Manager' logic module 532 has a trigger of File Update event set on the EF|_MS| file. Once the logic module 532 receives this event, the EF|_Msi 5312 has been replaced by the EF|_Msi 5514.

As a consequence, the REFRESH command mode of step F536 cannot be "Steering-Of-Roaming": a card session is restarted by performing a 'reset'.

[0108] Note: as already described in section [0104], an alternative first step of the logical flow diagram may be step F534, triggered by step S603 described in FIG. 6.

According to step F534, the execution of the 'Profile Manager' logic module 532 is triggered by the 'Event Manager' logic module 534 at the occurrence of a User Activity event set on the User Keys string. Once the 'Event Manager' logic module 534 receives this event and the execution of the 'Profile Manager' logic module 532 is started, the aforementioned step F535 takes place; in this case, also the EFEHPLM_N 5314 content must be replaced by the EF_EHPLM_N 5514 one.

Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the 'Profile Manager' logic module 532 can be registered to the File Update and the 'Event Manager' logic module 534 can be registered to the User Activity event; in this case logic module 532 is amenable to operating according to the sequence diagrams of FIG. 5 and/or FIG. 6.

Mobile device registration - Exemplary sequence diagram

[0109] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an exemplary procedure where a mobile device 500 is registered in the mobile Core Network 200 via the wireless Access Network A 210. In this sequence diagram, it is assumed that all the required registration steps between the mobile device 500, the wireless Access Network A 210 and the Core Network 200 have been performed successfully and that a data connection is currently being established between the mobile device 500, the wireless Access Network A 210 and the Core Network 200. The assumption is shown in step S901.

In step S902 the Core Network 200 notifies the Profile Server 300 that the mobile device 500 has successfully completed the registration process.

[0110] In step S903 the Profile Server Central Logic 304 checks its pre-defined business rules (e.g. contained in the databases 301 and 302) and decides that the location information received from the Core Network 200 in step S902 requires that the Simulacrum List contained in the SIM device 530 must be updated. As an illustrative non-limiting example, the 'updated' term could imply:

That the different SIM Simulacra (e.g. SIM Simulacrum B 540 and SIM Simulacrum C 550) contained in the Simulacrum List (such as the Simulacrum list X 315) must be assigned a different priority order.

That the Simulacrum List (such as the Simulacrum list X 315) must be replaced by another

Simulacrum List (such as the Simulacrum list Y 325).

Following the decision of the Profile Server Central Logic 304, the Profile Server 300 informs the Core Network 200 that the SIM Simulacrum List contained in the SIM device 530 will be updated (step S904). In addition, the Profile Server 300 instructs the OTA device 400 - via the communication interface (second interface) 3040 - to download the updated SIM Simulacrum List to the SIM device 530 (step S905)

[0111] In step S906, the SIM Simulacrum List 'update' command (and its associated parameters, in accordance to the 'update' policy) is sent from the OTA device 400 to the 'OTA Manager¹ logic module 535 via the Access Network A 210; on its turn, the 'OTA Manager' logic module 535 forwards the command to the 'Profile Manager¹ 532.

Following the command reception, different actions can be taken by the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532, such as (i) reordering the priority order of the SIM Simulacra or (ii) deleting the current Simulacrum List and replacing it by the new one.

Finally, in step S907 the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532 notifies the 'OTA Manager¹ logic module 535 that the update procedure has been successfully completed: any subsequent acknowledgment sent back to the OTA device 400 and to the Profile Server 300 is not shown in FIG. 9.

Service / Content request - Exemplary sequence diagram

[0112] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating another exemplary procedure where a mobile device 500 is registered in the mobile Core Network 200 via the wireless Access Network A 210. In this sequence diagram, it is assumed that all the required registration steps between the mobile device 500, the wireless Access Network A 210 and the Core Network 200 have been performed successfully.

[0113] In step S1001 the subscriber launches the application client 511, in order to establish a connection with the corresponding application server. The High Layer Application 510 intercepts the connection request. According to the High Layer Application 510 policy decision rules (enforced by the Profile Server Central Logic 304, As explained in session [0097]) the connection request is better fulfilled by the packet switched Access Network C 230, associated to the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile 5511 contained in SIM Simulacrum C 550.

[0114] In step S1002 the 'Event Manager¹ logic module 534 has a trigger on a specific event set by the High Layer Application 510. As a non-limiting, illustrative example, such event can be of 'User Activity' type and can correspond to a specific Session Key string. Alternatively, such event can be of 'Data available' or 'Channel status' type, thus linked to the data capabilities features of the SIM device 530. Irrespectively of what type of event is chosen in the implementation embodiment, the goal of step S1002 is to trigger the 'Event Manager¹ logic module 534 which, on its turn, notifies the 'Session Manager¹ logic module 533 that a Subscriber Profile change is necessary before proceeding with the requested data session.

[0115] In step S1003 the 'Session Manager¹ logic module 533 defers the setup of the requested data session and, on its turn (step S1004), invokes the execution of the Profile Change Flow-Chart F532 by the 'Profile Manager" logic module 532.

Once the profile change is complete, deregistration from the currently associated Access Network A 210 and subsequent registration over the Core Network 200 via the Access Network C 230 takes place by means of well-known message handshakes between (i) the SIM device 530 and the Device OS and HW 520, (ii) the Device OS and HW 520 and the Access Network C 230, (iii) the Access Network C 230 and the Core Network 200 (step S1005)

[0116] In step S1006, following the registration process a 'Location Update' event is caught by the 'Event Manager¹ logic module 534, (note: the 'Location Status' event must part of the event detection list, as those of ordinary skill will recognize). On its turn (step S1007), the 'Event Manager¹ logic module 534 notifies the 'Session Manager¹ logic module 533 that the connection request can be resumed.

[0117] Finally, in step S1008 the data connection request is resumed by the 'Session Manager¹ logic module 533. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the use of a proactive command such as 'Open Channel' allows data session control by the SIM device 530. The mobile device 500 performs a read procedure on the EF_NCP-IP Elementary File before establishing the remote data link with the application server. Following the profile change and the successive 'Refresh' operation, the connection request is fulfilled by the packet switched Access Network C 230 by using the most suitable Access Point Name (indicated as 'APN_C' in step S1008).

Profile replacement based on the High Layer Application - Exemplary sequence diagram

[0118] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating another exemplary procedure where a mobile device

500 is registered in the mobile Core Network 200 via the wireless Access Network A 210. Again, in this sequence diagram it is assumed that all the required registration steps between the mobile device 500, the wireless Access Network A 210 and the Core Network 200 have been performed successfully.

In step S1101 the High Layer Application 500 is notified by the Device OS and HW subsystem 520 that the

Received Signal Strength Information (RSSI) from Access Network C 230 meets the threshold required to maintain the adequate quality of service. Thanks to the communication interface (first interface) 3050 through the wireless Access Network A 210 and the Core Network 200 the High Layer Application 500 sends a corresponding advertisement information to the Profile Server 300.

Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the RSSI is just an exemplary measurement for monitoring the radio quality; other criteria (signal-to-noise ratio, etc.) can also be used.

[0119] In step S1102, the Profile Server Central Logic device 304 decides that a profile replacement operation is necessary: in the shown exemplary embodiment, the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 must be replaced by the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile of the SIM Simulacrum C 550. In step S1103, the Profile Server 300 sends the OTA device 400 - via the communication interface (second interface) 3040 - a notification that a profile replacement command should be sent to the mobile device 500; as part of the S1103 step message fields, the Profile Server 300 includes the binary values of the new EF_EHPLMN. In steps S1104, an Elementary File update command, related to EF_EHPLM_N, is sent from the OTA device 400 to the 'OTA Manager" 535 via the communication interface (second interface) 3040. 'OTA Manager¹ 535, on its turn, triggers the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532. The execution of the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532 is started in accordance to the Profile Change Flow-Chart F532.

Once the profile change is complete, deregistration from the currently associated Access Network A 210 and subsequent registration over the Core Network 200 via the Access Network C 230 takes place (step S1105).

Profile replacement based on the Core Network - Exemplary sequence diagram

[0120] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating another exemplary procedure where a mobile device 500 is registered in the mobile Core Network 200 via the wireless Access Network A 210. Again, in this sequence diagram it is assumed that all the required registration steps between the mobile device 500, the wireless Access Network A 210 and the Core Network 200 have been performed successfully.

It is also assumed that the user of the mobile device 500 is currently transferring large quantity of data over the wireless Access Network A 210 infrastructure and has been also doing so in the recent past such that he is now close to reach the allocated transfer data limit over the wireless Access Network A 210, such limit being configured in the Core Network 200 (and, in particular, in the Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) component). Thereby, in step S1201 the PCRF sends advertisement information to the Profile Server 300 via the communication interface (third interface) 3020. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the data quota related advertisement is just an exemplary criterion for triggering the forthcoming steps.

[0121] In step S1202 an illustrative example shows a non-limiting behavior of the Profile server 300: the Profile Server Central Logic device 304 decides that two sequential operations are necessary, namely (i) a Simulacrum List update and (ii) a profile replacement operation: in the shown exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that (i) the Simulacrum list X 315 must be downloaded in the SIM device 530 and (ii) the 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531 must be replaced by the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile of the SIM Simulacrum C 550, which belongs to the Simulacrum list X 315.

[0122] In step S1203, the Profile Server 300 sends the OTA device 400 - via the communication interface (second interface) 3040 - a notification that the two sequential operations of step S1202 must be performed; as part of the S1203 step message fields, the Profile Server 300 includes the binary values of the new EF_EHPLMN-

In step S1204, the Simulacrum List Download and Update Process takes place; this process has been detailed in sections [0110] and [0111] related to FIG. 9.

At the end of step S1204, the OTA device 400 receives the acknowledgement that the Simulacrum list X 315 has been downloaded successfully in the SIM device 530.

[0123] In steps S1205, an Elementary File update command, related to EF_EHPLM_N, is sent from the OTA device 400 to the 'OTA Manager¹ 535 which, on its turn, triggers the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532. Upon receiving such trigger, the execution of the 'Profile Manager¹ logic module 532 is started in accordance to the Profile Change Flow-Chart F532. At the end of Profile Change Flow-Chart F532, the 'Standby' Subscriber Profile of the SIM Simulacrum C 550 (which belongs to the downloaded Simulacrum list X 315) has successfully replaced the previous 'Active' Subscriber Profile 531.

Once the profile change is complete, deregistration from the currently associated Access Network A 210 and subsequent registration over the Core Network 200 via the Access Network C 230 takes place (step S1206).

Claims

1. A method for wirelessly provisioning and activating subscriber profile data in a mobile device containing:

A computer program code (High-Layer Application) included in one computer-readable memory of said mobile device,

The method comprising:

Programming the International Mobile Subscribed Identity (IMSI) of the SIM device and each IMSI of a respective Simulacrum in such a way that at least one of the IMSI components, Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC), Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN) differ among IMSIs;

Registering said mobile device to a core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) in correspondence of a first radio access network, said first radio access network associated to said Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM device;

Establishing a data communication over a first interface between said High-Layer Application and a Profile Server, said data communication consisting of advertisement information from said High- Layer Application to the Profile Server;

Responsive to said advertisement information, establishing a data communication over a second interface between said Profile Server and said SIM device Applet, said data communication instructing said SIM device Applet to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM device by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in one selected Simulacrum, the selection information provided by said Profile Server;

Following said profile replacement command, the SIM device Applet (i) replacing the Active Subscriber Profile content with the content of the Standby Subscriber Profile and (ii) performing SIM device reinitialization;

Registering said mobile device to a core network with a second Mobile Network Code (MNC) in correspondence of a second radio access network, said second radio access network associated to said Standby Subscriber Profile of said selected Simulacrum.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

Establishing a data communication over a third interface between said core network and said Profile Server, said data communication consisting of advertisement information from said core network to said Profile Server;

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM device and the Standby

Subscriber Profile of any Simulacrum allows network registration to at least:

A circuit switched radio access technology selected from a group consisting of: Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) lxRTT, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) A packet switched radio access technology selected from a group consisting of: Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)

A local radio access technology selected from a group consisting of: Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Interworking WLAN (l-WLAN)

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM device allows registering to a core network via a first radio access network, said Active Subscriber Profile including at least the following Elementary Files (EF):

The International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EF_!Msi);

The Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File

(EFHPLMNW CT);

The Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN);

The Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN);

The Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_0PLMN_WACT);

The Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP_|_P);

The Operator Controlled Wireless Local Area Network Specific IDentifier List Elementary File

(EFOWSIDL);

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said Standby Subscriber Profile of said selected Simulacrum allows registering to a core network via a second radio access network, said Standby Subscriber Profile including at least the following Elementary Files (EF):

The International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EF|_MS|);

(EF_HPLMNW CT);

The Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN);

The Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN);

The Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP.|_P);

The Operator Controlled Wireless Local Area Network Specific I Dentifier List Elementary File

(EFOWSIDL);

6. The method of claims 4 or 5, wherein the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File

(EFIMSI) of said Active Subscriber Profile and the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EFIMSI) of said Standby Subscriber Profile differ in all components, Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC), Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN).

7. The method of claims 4 or 5, wherein the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File

(EFIMSI) of said Active Subscriber Profile and the International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EFIMSI) of said Standby Subscriber Profile differ in the Mobile Country Code (MCC).

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said advertisement information from said High-Layer Application to said Profile Server contains a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following notifications:

The mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and experiences a reduction in radio coverage that cannot guarantee an adequate quality of service;

The mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and a better radio coverage can be obtained by registering on a second radio access network with a second Mobile Network Code (MNC) ;

An application or content request is made by the subscriber of the mobile device, said request triggering a Service Network (SN) connection setup request by the mobile device;

The mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device;

Any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said advertisement information from said core network to said Profile

Server contains a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following notifications: Circuit switched and packet switched network attach and registration following a mobile device switch on operation;

A location update information;

The mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network due to network congestion or failure conditions;

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said data communication over said second interface may further comprise at least one of the following commands from said Profile Server to said SIM device Applet: Adding or deleting one or more Simulacra;

Modifying the Standby Subscriber Profile of one or more Simulacra.

11. An apparatus comprising:

A mobile device containing a baseband processor integrated circuit and further comprising computer program code (High-Layer Application) included in one computer-readable memory of said mobile device; A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) device, coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, containing an Active Subscriber Profile and allowing circuit switched and packet switched registration to a core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC), said SIM device hosted in a first computer-readable memory of said mobile device and further comprising computer program code (Applet);

Multiple Simulacra of as many Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), each Simulacrum containing a Standby Subscriber Profile and being coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, said multiple Simulacra hosted in a second computer-readable memory of said mobile device and organized in one or more Simulacra lists;

A Profile Server having a wireless data communication with said SIM device via said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, the Profile Server comprising one computer-readable memory including computer program code.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the Applet included in said SIM device further comprises:

A Profile Manager logic module operable to replace the Active Subscriber Profile contained in said SIM device by a Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum, said particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided either by said Profile Server or by said High-Layer Application or by a Session Manager logic module;

A Over-The-Air (OTA) Manager logic module operable to (i) add a Simulacrum to an existing Simulacrum list, or (ii) delete a Simulacrum from an existing Simulacrum list, or (iii) add or delete a Simulacrum list, said Simulacrum list containing multiple Simulacra, the add / delete information provided by said Profile Server, or (iv) update at least one Elementary File (EF) of the Active Subscriber Profile, the update information provided by said Profile Server and consisting of the content of the at least one Elementary File (EF) to be updated;

A Session Manager logic module operable to: detect an indication relating to particular services that said mobile device would like to use via said Active Subscriber Profile and a first associated radio access network; select one particular Simulacrum from said plurality of Simulacra, said selected Simulacrum containing a Standby Subscriber Profile associated to a second radio access network, wherein said Standby Subscriber Profile is determined to be better suited to said mobile device; transmit said selected Simulacrum information to said Profile Manager logic module.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

Configuring the High-Layer Application of the mobile device for sending advertisement messages to the computer program code of the Profile Server via a first radio access network, said advertisement messages containing a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following information:

The mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and experiences a reduction in radio coverage that cannot guarantee an adequate quality of service;

The mobile device is circuit switched and packet switched registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and a better radio coverage can be obtained by registering on a second radio access network with a second Mobile Network Code (MNC); An application or content request is made by the subscriber of the mobile device, said request triggering a Service Network (SN) connection setup request by the mobile device;

The mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device;

Any voice / data session over the circuit switched / packet switched network said mobile device is registered on would result in overly high cost;

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

Configuring the computer program code of the Profile Server for receiving advertisement messages from a core network on which a mobile device is registered via a first radio access network, said advertisement messages containing a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following information:

Circuit switched and packet switched network attach and registration following a mobile device switch on operation;

A location update information;

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

Configuring the computer program code of the Profile Server for sending a profile replacement message to said SIM device Applet, said profile replacement message following said advertisement message received from the High-Layer Application of the mobile device, said profile replacement message instructing the SIM device Applet to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM device by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided the Profile Server.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

Configuring the computer program code of the Profile Server for sending a profile replacement message to said SIM device Applet, said profile replacement message following said advertisement message received from a core network on which a mobile device is registered via a first radio access network, said profile replacement message instructing the SIM device Applet to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM device by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided by the Profile Server, said advertisement message containing at least one of the following information:

The mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network due to network congestion or failure conditions; The mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of a first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network in correspondence of a data session request issued by said mobile device;

Configuring the computer program code of the Profile Server for sending a Simulacrum list update message to said SIM device Applet, said Simulacrum list update message containing instructions to add a Simulacrum to an existing Simulacrum list, or to delete a Simulacrum from an existing Simulacrum list, or to add or delete a Simulacrum list, said Simulacrum list containing multiple Simulacra; said Simulacrum list update message following said advertisement message received from a core network on which a mobile device is registered via a first radio access network, said advertisement message containing at least one of the following information:

Circuit switched and packet switched network attach and registration following a mobile device switch on operation.

A location update information

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

A card receptacle, the card receptacle configured to permit inclusion of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, containing said Active Subscriber Profile and allowing circuit switched and packet switched registration to said core network with a first Mobile Network Code (MNC), said SIM card further comprising computer program code (Applet) included in one computer-readable memory of said SIM card;

Multiple Simulacra of as many Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), each Simulacrum containing said Standby Subscriber Profile and being coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, said Simulacra being organized in one or more Simulacra lists, said Simulacra lists hosted in a non-volatile memory of said mobile device.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

Multiple Simulacra of as many Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), each Simulacrum containing said Standby Subscriber Profile and being coupled to said baseband processor integrated circuit of said mobile device, said Simulacra being organized in one or more Simulacra lists, said Simulacra lists being hosted in a non-volatile memory of said SIM card;

A SIM card application (Applet), hosted in a dedicated non-volatile memory of said SIM card, further comprising: a Profile Manager logic module operable to replace the Active Subscriber Profile contained in said SIM card by a Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum, said particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided either by said Profile Server or by said High-Layer Application or by a Session Manager logic module; an Over-The-Air (OTA) Manager logic module operable to add a Simulacrum to an existing Simulacrum list, or to delete a Simulacrum from an existing Simulacrum list, or to add or delete a Simulacrum list, said Simulacrum list containing multiple Simulacra, the add / delete information provided by said Profile Server; a Session Manager logic module operable to: detect an indication relating to particular services that said mobile device would like to use via said Active Subscriber Profile and a first associated radio access network; select one particular Simulacrum from said plurality of Simulacra, said selected Simulacrum containing a Standby Subscriber Profile associated to a second radio access network, wherein said Standby Subscriber Profile is determined to be better suited to said mobile device; transmit said selected Simulacrum information to said Profile Manager logic module.

19. A method for a Profile Server that has a first interface to communicate with a High-Layer Application of a mobile device, and a second interface to communicate with a SIM card Applet of said mobile device via a OTA device, comprising:

Receiving advertisement information from the High-Layer Application of a mobile device via the first interface, said information containing a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following notifications:

Replacing the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum, the replacement operation performed by the Profile Manager logic module of said SIM device Applet following said Simulacrum selection information provided by the Profile Server.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of sending:

provides Simulacrum selection information to said OTA Manager logic module of said SI M card Applet, the selection information consisting of the content of an Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN), the first entry of said EF_EHPLMN identifying the selected Simulacrum, the second entry of said EF_EHPLMN identifying an alternative Simulacrum, any additional entry of said EF_EHPLMN identifying a corresponding alternative Simulacrum.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of replacing:

refers to a selected Simulacrum chosen among a plurality of Simulacra, each Simulacrum of said plurality containing a Standby Subscriber Profile, said plurality of Simulacra being organized in one or more lists and being hosted in a non-volatile memory of said SIM card.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of replacing:

refers to the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card and the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in said selected Simulacrum, said subscriber profiles including at least the following Elementary Files (EF):

(EFHPLMNW CT);

The Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN);

(EFOWSIDL)-

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein :

Said OTA Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet interprets the selection information consisting of the content of an Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN) and performs a file update operation on the EF_EHPLMN of the Active Subscriber Profile of said SIM card; A Profile Manager logic module of said SIM card detects the update of said EF_EHPLMN and triggers replacement operations on at least the following Elementary Files (EF):

The Home Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_HPLMNwAcT) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_HPLMNwAcT of the Standby Subscriber Profile;

The Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_FPLMN of the Standby Subscriber Profile;

The Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_0PLMN_WACT) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_0PLMN_WACT of the Standby Subscriber Profile;

The Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP.|_P) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_NCP.|_P of the Standby Subscriber Profile; The Operator Controlled Wireless Local Area Network Specific IDentifier List Elementary File (EF_OWSIDL) of the Active Subscriber Profile is replaced by the EF_0WSIDL of the Standby Subscriber Profile;

The Profile Manager logic module reinitializes said SIM card.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the Profile Server has a third interface to a core network onto which said mobile device is registered via a first radio access network in correspondence of said Active Subscriber Profile, and receives from said core network advertisement information, said information containing a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) and at least one of the following notifications:

The mobile device is packet switched network registered in correspondence of said first radio access network and adequate quality of service cannot be granted by the packet switch network due to network congestion or failure conditions;

25. A method for a High-Layer Application of a mobile device that has a first interface to communicate with a Profile Server, and an application programming interface to communicate with a SIM card Applet of said mobile device, comprising:

Applying policy enforcement rules, said policies being pushed by a Profile Server and being organized in a set of usage rules, a set of parameters, or a set of criteria in order to allow replacing the Active Subscriber Profile of the subscriber identity module (SIM) by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in one of the Simulacra following an application or content request made by the user of the mobile device;

Triggering a profile replacement message in an Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet, said profile replacement message instructing said Profile Manager to replace the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum selected from a plurality of Simulacra, the selection information provided by the High-Layer Application.

Replacing the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in a particular Simulacrum, the replacement operation performed by the Profile Manager logic module of said SIM device Applet following said Simulacrum selection information provided by the High- Layer Application.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein in the step of triggering:

Said High-Layer Application assigns a pre-defined alphanumeric string in correspondence of a profile replacement message, said alphanumeric string written in the touch-screen buffer of said mobile device via said application programming interface. Said Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet has a trigger of User Activity event set in correspondence of the pre-defined alphanumeric string;

27. A method for a High-Layer Application of a mobile device that has a first interface to communicate with a Profile Server, and an application programming interface to communicate with a SIM card Applet of said mobile device, comprising:

Responsive to said request, applying policy enforcement rules, said policies being pushed by a Profile Server and being organized in a set of usage rules, a set of parameters, or a set of criteria in order to allow replacing the Active Subscriber Profile of the SIM card by the Standby Subscriber Profile contained in one of the Simulacra contained in a non-volatile memory of the SIM card, said Standby Subscriber Profile associated to a second radio access network, wherein said Standby Subscriber Profile is determined to be better suited to grant the connection setup request by said mobile device;

Starting profile replacement operations on said SIM card Applet by:

Triggering an Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet by an event set in correspondence of the profile replacement operation;

Responsive to said trigger, the Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet alerting a Session Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet;

Responsive to said alert, the Session Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet (i) deferring the connection setup request by said mobile device (ii) alerting a Profile Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet;

Responsive to said alert, the Profile Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet (i) replacing the Active Subscriber Profile by the Standby Subscriber Profile associated to a second radio access network (ii) triggering registration operations to the core network with a second Mobile Network Code (MNC) in correspondence of the second radio access network

28. The method according to claim 19 or 27, wherein the Standby Subscriber Profile includes at least the following Elementary Files (EF):

The International Mobile Subscriber Identity Elementary File (EF_!Msi);

(EFHPLMNW CT);

The Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_EHPLMN);

The Forbidden Public Land Mobile Network Elementary File (EF_FPLMN); The Operator Controlled Public Land Mobile Network Selector with Access Technology Elementary File (EF_0PLMNW_ACT);

The Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP-IP);

(EFOWSIDL)-

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said SIM card Applet of said mobile device resumes the connection setup request by:

Responsive to said trigger, said Event Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet alerting said Session

Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet;

Responsive to said alert, the Session Manager logic module of said SIM card Applet (i) reading from the

Network Connectivity Parameters for IP Connections Elementary File (EF_NCP-IP) the connection parameters corresponding to said connection request (ii) resuming said connection request with a corresponding proactive command sent to said mobile device.