Apple patents 'SIM within' secure element technology
A newly published Apple patent application sets out a way for a virtual SIM card to be built into an embedded secure element which can, in turn, be attached to an NFC controller chip.
An NFC-related patent application filed by Apple in November 2010 has now been made public by the US Patent and Trademark Office.
The "Wireless network authentication apparatus and methods" patent sets out a way to incorporate a subscriber identity module (SIM) into the body of a mobile phone, within an embedded secure element. In one example, the patent shows the embedded secure element, with the 'virtual' SIM included within it, connected to an NFC controller and with space available within the secure element for both SIM functions and "other apps". A design for a "SIM accessory" is also included:
