SIMULACRUM OF PHYSICAL SECURITY DEVICE AND METHODS

• US 20120117635A1
• Filed: 04/05/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Schell, Stephan V., Hauck, Jerrold Von
• Granted Patent: US 9,100,393 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

A simulacrum security device and methods. In one embodiment, a simulacrum or likeness of a physical security device is provided for use in conjunction with a software emulation of the security device. In one implementation, a “faux SIM card” is provided that does not contain Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) information itself, but instead enables a user to download Electronic SIM (eSIM) information (e.g., from a network or eSIM server) which is loaded into a software emulation of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) device. The faux card is printed with an activation code, scan pattern, or other activation or access information. The subscriber purchases the faux card, and enters the activation code into a device; the entered activation code enables the device to log onto a network, and download the appropriate eSIM data. Delivery of eSIM information as enabled by the faux card addresses deficiencies in existing SIM distribution schemes, provides users with an enhanced perception of security, and further addresses various legal requirements.

Claims

1. A method for provisioning user access data, the method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising a computer-readable identifier;

utilizing the apparatus to obtain the identifier;

using the identifier to identify user access data; and

providing the user access data to a user device, the access data allowing for said user device to access a service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a simulacrum of an identity module of a mobile device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the simulacrum of an identity module of a mobile device comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM) for a UMTS-compliant mobile telephony device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable identifier comprises an identifier stored in a computer readable memory of the apparatus, and the act of using the identifier comprises reading the identifier from memory using the user device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable identifier comprises a bar code disposed on an externally readable surface of the apparatus.

6. A method for provisioning user access data, the method comprising:

generating an identifier associated with a user access data;

embedding the identifier within a simulacrum;

receiving a user device request for user access data associated with the identifier; and

providing the user access data to the user device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the identifier comprises a computer-readable printed indicia.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the identifier comprises embedded within an electrical or electronic circuit.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the identifier comprises a human-readable indicia.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the identifier is substantially tamper-proof.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the providing is performed substantially responsive to the receiving of the request.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a network interface;

a processor; and

a storage device in data communication with the processor, the storage device comprising computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions configured to, when executed by the processor;

request user access data associated with a identifier;

wherein the request causes verification of the identifier, and wherein successful verification of the identifier causes the retrieval of the user access data associated with the identifier; and

stores the user access data; and

wherein the stored user access data configures the network interface for operation.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises an optical scanner, the optical scanner adapted to scan a barcode.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a user interface, wherein the user interface is configured to enable user entry of the identifier.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a card receptacle, the card receptacle configured to permit inclusion of a card, the card comprising computer-readable media, the computer readable media comprising the identifier.

16. A method for provisioning user access data, the method comprising:

providing a simulacrum, the simulacrum having at least one identifier embedded therein, the identifier being uniquely associated with user access data; and

receiving a request for the user access data associated with the identifier;

establishing a secure session;

providing the user access data over the established secure session; and

wherein the simulacrum ensures that only a single user is in possession of the at least one identifier.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the simulacrum comprises a card that is printed with the identifier, and further obfuscated by a thin scratchable veneer.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the simulacrum comprises a card that has a electrically readable identifier.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electrically readable identifier changes over time.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the electrically readable identifier changes with use.