Power management for subscriber identity module
First Claim
1. A method for controlling power to a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a wireless communication device (WCD), the method comprising:
- supplying power to the SIM when a request is pending for service by the SIM;
supplying power to the SIM when a software module running on the WCD requests maintenance of power to the SIM; and
terminating power to the SIM when no request is pending for service by the SIM and no software module running on the WCD requests maintenance of power to the SIM.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power management technique for a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), makes use of a voting process to determine when to power-up and power-down the SIM. In particular, the voting process determines whether software modules running on a wireless communication device (WCD) require current or imminent access to the SIM. The voting process is designed to make more efficient use of the SIM without sacrificing performance. A modified security authorization process can be added, in which the WCD caches a user access code in memory for authenticating the user to the SIM to gain access to the secure features of the SIM. The security verification process avoids the need for the user to enter the access code each time the SIM is powered up in the course of the power management routine, reducing user inconvenience and maintaining performance.
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Citations
72 Claims
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1. A method for controlling power to a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a wireless communication device (WCD), the method comprising:
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supplying power to the SIM when a request is pending for service by the SIM;
supplying power to the SIM when a software module running on the WCD requests maintenance of power to the SIM; and
terminating power to the SIM when no request is pending for service by the SIM and no software module running on the WCD requests maintenance of power to the SIM. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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17. A system for controlling power to a removable user identity module (SIM) in a wireless communication device (WCD), the system comprising:
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a power source coupled to the SIM; and
a processor that controls the power source to;
(a) supply power from the power source to the SIM when a request from the WCD is pending for service by the SIM, (b) supply power from the power source to the SIM when a software module running on the WCD requests maintenance of power to the SIM, and (c) terminate power to the SIM when no request from the WCD is pending for service by the SIM and no software module running on the WCD requests supply of power to the SIM.
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33. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that cause a programmable processor to:
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supply power to a removable user identity module (SIM) when a request from a wireless communication device (WCD) is pending for service by the SIM;
supply power to the SIM when a software module running on the WCD requests maintenance of power to the SIM; and
terminate power to the SIM when no request from the WCD is pending for service by the SIM and no software module running on the WCD requests supply of power to the SIM. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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49. A method comprising:
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storing a user access code associated with a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a memory associated with a wireless communication device (WCD);
retrieving the user access code from the memory when power is resupplied to the SIM; and
using the retrieved user access code in a security authorization process to authorize use of secure features of the SIM.
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57. A system comprising:
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a memory that stores a user access code associated with a removable user identity module (SIM) in a memory associated with a wireless communication device (WCD); and
a processor that retrieves the user access code from the memory when power is resupplied to the SIM, and uses the retrieved user access code in a security authorization process to authorize use of the WCD.
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65. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that cause a processor to:
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store a user access code associated with a SIM in a memory associated with a WCD;
retrieve the user access code from the memory when power is resupplied to the SIM; and
use the retrieved user access code in a security authorization process to authorize use of the WCD. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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Specification