Power management for subscriber identity module
First Claim
1. A method for managing power to a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a wireless communication device (WCD) when power is supplied to the WCD during operation of the 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.
1 Assignment
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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
99 Claims
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1. A method for managing power to a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a wireless communication device (WCD) when power is supplied to the WCD during operation of the 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)
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17. A system for managing power to a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a wireless communication device (WCD) when power is supplied to the WCD during operation of the 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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that cause a programmable processor to manage power to a subscriber identity module (SIM) of a wireless communication device (WCD) when power is supplied to the WCD during operation of the WCD:
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supply power to the SIM when a request from the 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)
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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) in response to a user entering the access code at an initial power up of the WCD; retrieving the user access code from the memory when power is resupplied to the SIM; using the retrieved user access code in a security authorization process in the WCD to authorize use of secure features of the SIM; terminating 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; terminating power to the SIM when power to the WCD is terminated retrieving and using the user access code when power is resupplied to the SIM following termination of 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; and accepting and using user input as the user access code when power is resupplied to the SIM following termination when power to the WCD is terminated. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A system comprising:
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a memory that stores a user access code associated with a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a memory associated with a wireless communication device (WCD) in response to a user entering the access code at an initial power up of the WCD; and a processor that retrieves the user access code from the memory when power is resupplied to the SIM, uses the retrieved user access code in a security authorization process in the WCD to authorize use of the WCD, terminates 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, terminates power to the SIM when power to the WCD is terminated, retrieves and uses the user access code when power is resupplied to the SIM following termination of 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, and accepts and uses user input as the user access code when power is resupplied to the SIM following termination of power to the SIM when power to the WCD is terminated. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. 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 wireless communication device (WCD) in response to a user entering the access code at an initial power up of the WCD; retrieve the user access code from the memory when power is resupplied to the SIM; use the retrieved user access code in a security authorization process in the WCD to authorize use of the WCD; 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; terminate power to the SIM when power to the WCD is terminated; retrieve and use the user access code when power is resupplied to the SIM following termination of 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; and accept and use user input as the user access code when power is resupplied to the SIM following termination of power to the SIM when power to the WCD is terminated. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. A wireless communication device (WCD) including a subscriber identity module (SIM) and means for managing power to the SIM when power is supplied to the WCD during operation of the WCD, the WCD comprising:
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means for supplying power to the SIM when a request is pending for service by the SIM; means for supplying power to the SIM when a software module running on the WCD requests maintenance of power to the SIM; and means for 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 (69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
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84. A wireless communication device (WCD) including a subscriber identity module (SIM), wherein the WCD manages power to the SIM when power is supplied to the WCD during operation of the WCD, the WCD 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. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99)
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Specification