System and method for providing a communication function

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system (100) for providing a communication function, comprising: a communication profile module (110) comprising a first communication profile (A) and a second communication profile (B), the first communication profile being designed for a plurality of first communication forms (T, M, D) and the second communication profile (B) being designed for a plurality of second communication forms (T, M, D); a selection module (120) designed to select, on the basis of at least one selection criterion, either the first communication profile (A) or the second communication profile (A) for communication, the at least one selection criterion relating to availability of at least one first communication form of the plurality of first communication forms (T, M, D) and / or availability of at least one second communication form of the plurality of second communication forms (T, M, D); and a communication module (130) designed to carry out communication with the selected first communication profile (A) or second communication profile (B).

Description

[0001] System and method for providing a communication function

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a system for providing a communication function, a means of transportation with such a system, a computer-implemented method for providing a communication function, and a storage medium for executing the method. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a needs-based assignment of communication profiles, in particular eSIM profiles.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] Modern vehicles often have multiple communication profiles to enable vehicle-based services, user-specific communication, etc. The use of multiple communication profiles can lead to conflicts, especially if both communication profiles cannot be used simultaneously. For example, an incoming phone call on one of the communication profiles can interrupt data connectivity in the other communication profile, as the latter is downgraded or suspended by the incoming call. This can lead to interruptions, for example, in vehicle-based services, which in turn leads to user dissatisfaction.

[0005] Disclosure of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for providing a communication function, a means of transport comprising such a system, a computer-implemented method for providing a communication function, and a storage medium for carrying out the method, which can ensure communication capability for various forms of communication. In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure to avoid interruption of communication in the case of multiple communication profiles. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0007] According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, a system for providing a communication function, in particular for a means of transport, is specified.The system comprises a communication profile module comprising at least a first communication profile and a second communication profile, wherein the first communication profile is configured for a plurality of first communication forms and the second communication profile is configured for a plurality of second communication forms; a selection module configured to select either the first communication profile or the second communication profile for a communication based on at least one selection criterion, wherein the at least one selection criterion relates to an availability of at least one first communication form of the plurality of first communication forms and / or an availability of at least one second communication form of the plurality of second communication forms; and a communication module configured to carry out the communication using the selected first communication profile or second communication profile.

[0008] According to the invention, the communication profiles are flexibly assigned during operation so that the availability of communication forms or services such as telephony, messaging, and data connectivity can be specifically ensured. For example, both communication profiles can be set up for telephony, but only one of the two communication profiles for data connectivity. If the communication profile without data connectivity receives a call and handles it, the communication profile with data connectivity is downgraded, so that data connectivity is interrupted (e.g., in the case of dual-SIM dual standby, DSDS). Upon receiving the call, the system can then hand over to the communication profile with data connectivity and handle the call via this communication profile, so that the communication profile is not downgraded and data connectivity is maintained.As a result, in this example, both desired services, namely telephony and data connectivity, can be provided simultaneously. The embodiments of the present disclosure can thus enable the user to have communication forms or services available whenever they are needed.

[0009] The communication profile module and / or the selection module and / or the communication module may comprise software components / algorithms configured to be executed on at least one processor and thereby to execute the functionalities of the respective module.

[0010] The communication profile module and / or the selection module and / or the communication module can be implemented in a common software and / or hardware module. Alternatively, the communication profile module and / or the selection module and / or the communication module can each be implemented in separate software and / or hardware modules.

[0011] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to a first communication profile and a second communication profile. However, the present disclosure is not limited to two communication profiles, and there may be a number n with ri>2 of communication profiles that can be implemented in embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Preferably, the plurality of first forms of communication are selected from the group comprising or consisting of telephony (or voice calls, e.g., via a telephone tariff), messaging (e.g., SMS), and data connectivity (or data usage, e.g., via a data tariff).

[0013] In addition or alternatively, the plurality of second forms of communication is selected from the group that includes or consists of telephony (or voice calls, e.g., via a telephone tariff), messaging (e.g., SMS) and data connectivity (or data usage, e.g., via a data tariff).

[0014] Preferably, the plurality of first communication forms and the plurality of second communication forms differ at least partially. For example, the plurality of first communication forms may include telephony, messaging, and data connectivity, and the plurality of second communication forms may include telephony and messaging but not data connectivity.

[0015] Preferably, one communication profile (e.g., the first communication profile) is degraded when the other communication profile (e.g., the second communication profile) receives and handles a call. In the degraded or suspended state, the communication profile is still logically but no longer physically registered in the network, and the services of the degraded or suspended communication profile are no longer available.

[0016] The system is preferably configured for Dual-SIM Dual Standby (DSDS). With DSDS, both communication profiles are permanently accessible as long as no calls are being made. As soon as a call is made using one communication profile, the other communication profile is temporarily unavailable for the duration of the call; it enters standby mode, meaning the communication profile is downgraded or suspended.

[0017] The selection module is configured to select either the first communication profile or the second communication profile for communication based on the at least one selection criterion, wherein the at least one selection criterion relates to an availability of the at least one first communication form from the plurality of first communication forms and / or an availability of the at least one second communication form from the plurality of second communication forms. Preferably, the at least one first communication form and / or the at least one second communication form relate to data connectivity. In other words, the availability may relate to data connectivity, wherein, for example, it can be ensured that data connectivity is maintained and is not interrupted, for example, by a degradation of a communication profile.

[0018] In some embodiments, the selection module can be configured to select the communication profile for the communication such that data connectivity is possible and / or maintained during a call. In other words, it can be ensured that data connectivity is maintained and is not interrupted, for example, by a degradation of a communication profile when a call is received.

[0019] The term “communication profile” as used in the present disclosure includes in particular SIM profiles, but also other current and future communication profiles that enable a communication function.

[0020] Preferably, the first communication profile is a first SIM (subscriber identity module) profile, in particular a first eSIM (embedded subscriber identity module) profile. Additionally or alternatively, the second communication profile can be a second SIM profile, in particular a second eSIM profile. The use of conventional plastic SIM cards is also possible.

[0021] A traditional physical SIM card consists of an integrated circuit located on a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that is inserted into a device. In contrast, an eSIM is a virtualized SIM card profile installed on an eUICC chip permanently mounted in a device. Once installed on an eUICC, an eSIM profile functions just like a physical SIM card, including a unique ICCID and a network authentication key generated by a communications service provider. The communications service provider can be a manufacturer, administrator, etc. of the communications profile, and can, in particular, be a network operator of a mobile network (Mobile Network Operator (MNO)). The communications service provider can, for example, enable communication in a mobile network according to the LTE (Long-Term Evolution) standard and / or the SG standard.

[0022] Preferably, one of the first and second communication profiles is a global SIM or eSIM, and the other of the first and second communication profiles is a user-specific SIM or eSIM. The global SIM or eSIM may differ from a user-specific SIM or eSIM in that the global SIM or eSIM does not have a local IP address and / or has greater latency and / or does not comply with KYC (know your customer). For example, the global SIM or eSIM may be assigned to the vehicle and / or a vehicle manufacturer, whereas the user-specific SIM or eSIM may be assigned to the user.

[0023] Preferably, the communication module comprises or is a modem. Communication can take place via the modem using the selected communication profile. In particular, the modem can be a single modem, so that both communication profiles cannot be used simultaneously. However, the inventive selection of the communication profile can ensure that the user is always provided with communication forms or services when they are needed.

[0024] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a means of transport, in particular a vehicle, is specified. The means of transport comprises the system for providing a communication function according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The means of transport can be a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle), a ship, or an aircraft (e.g., a drone for passenger transport), but is not limited thereto. For example, the means of transport can also be a shoe or other wearable utensil (e.g., wearables, items of clothing, etc.). The term vehicle includes cars, trucks, buses, mobile homes, motorcycles, etc., which serve to transport people, goods, etc. In particular, the term includes motor vehicles for passenger transport.

[0025] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for providing a communication function, in particular for a means of transportation, is provided. The method comprises selecting, based on at least one selection criterion, either a first communication profile or a second communication profile for a communication, wherein the first communication profile is configured for a plurality of first communication forms and the second communication profile is configured for a plurality of second communication forms, wherein the at least one selection criterion relates to an availability of at least one first communication form of the plurality of first communication forms and / or an availability of at least one second communication form of the plurality of second communication forms; and performing the communication using the selected first communication profile or second communication profile.

[0026] The method for providing a communication function may implement the aspects of the system for providing a communication function described in this document.

[0027] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a software (SW) program is specified. The SW program can be configured to be executed on one or more processors and thereby to carry out the method described in this document for providing a communication function. According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is specified. The storage medium can comprise a SW program configured to be executed on one or more processors and thereby to carry out the method described in this document for providing a communication function.

[0028] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, software with program code is provided. The software is configured to carry out the method for providing a communication function when the software runs on one or more software-controlled devices.

[0029] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a system for providing a communication function is provided. The system comprises one or more processors; and at least one memory connected to the one or more processors and containing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform the method for providing a communication function described in this document.

[0030] A processor or processor module is a programmable computing unit, i.e. a machine or an electronic circuit that controls other elements according to given instructions and thereby drives an algorithm (process).

[0031] Short description of the drawings

[0032] Embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the figures and are described in more detail below. They show:

[0033] Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle with a system for providing a communication function according to embodiments of the present disclosure, Figures 2A and 2B schematically show a demand-dependent assignment of communication profiles according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and

[0034] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for providing a communication function according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Embodiments of the disclosure

[0036] In the following, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols are used for identical and equivalent elements.

[0037] Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle 10 with a system 100 for providing a communication function according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] In the example of Figure 1, the system 100 is integrated into a vehicle 10. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the system 100 may also be present, for example, in a mobile device or other portable utensil (e.g., wearables, items of clothing, etc.). The term "mobile device" includes, in particular, smartphones, but also other mobile telephones or cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, and all current and future electronic devices equipped with communications technology.

[0039] The system 100 comprises a communication profile module 110, comprising at least a first communication profile A and a second communication profile B, wherein the first communication profile A is configured for a plurality of first communication forms and the second communication profile B is configured for a plurality of second communication forms; a selection module 120 configured to select either the first communication profile A or the second communication profile B for a communication based on at least one selection criterion, wherein the at least one selection criterion relates to an availability of at least one first communication form of the plurality of first communication forms and / or an availability of at least one second communication form of the plurality of second communication forms;and a communication module 130 configured to perform communication with the selected first communication profile A or second communication profile B;

[0040] This allows for flexible assignment of communication profiles A and B during operation, so that the availability of communication forms or services can be specifically ensured.

[0041] The first communication profile A can be a first SIM profile, in particular a first eSIM profile. Additionally or alternatively, the second communication profile B can be a second SIM profile, in particular a second eSIM profile. The use of conventional plastic SIM cards is also possible.

[0042] The forms of communication of the first communication profile A and the second communication profile B may include, but are not limited to, telephony (or voice calls, e.g., via a telephone tariff), messaging (e.g., SMS) and / or data connectivity (or data usage, e.g., via a data tariff).

[0043] In some embodiments, the plurality of first communication forms and the plurality of second communication forms differ at least partially. For example, the plurality of first communication forms of the first communication profile A may include telephony, messaging, and data connectivity, and the plurality of second communication forms of the second communication profile A may include telephony and messaging but not data connectivity.

[0044] In some embodiments, the system is configured for dual SIM dual standby (DSDS). With DSDS, both communication profiles A and B are permanently accessible as long as no call is being made. As soon as a call is being made using one communication profile, the other communication profile is temporarily unavailable for the duration of the call; it goes into standby mode, i.e. the communication profile is downgraded or suspended. The selection module 120 can be configured to select the communication profile for communication in such a way that data connectivity is possible and / or maintained during a call. In other words, it can be ensured that data connectivity is maintained and is not interrupted, for example, by a downgrade of a communication profile when a call is received on a different communication profile.

[0045] In some embodiments, the communication module 130 comprises, or is, a modem. Communication can occur via the modem using the selected communication profile A, B. In particular, the modem can be a single modem, so that both communication profiles A, B cannot be used simultaneously without restrictions. However, the inventive selection of the communication profile can ensure that the user is always provided with communication forms or services when they are needed.

[0046] Figures 2A and 2B schematically show a demand-dependent assignment of communication profiles A, B according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] The first communication profile A may be a first eSIM profile, and the second communication profile B may be a second eSIM profile.

[0048] In the example of Figures 2A and 2B, the communication forms of the first communication profile A consist of telephony T, messaging M and data connectivity D. The communication forms of the second communication profile B consist of telephony T and messaging M, without data connectivity.

[0049] The first communication profile A can be degraded if the second communication profile B receives and handles a call. In the degraded or suspended state, the first communication profile A is still logically but no longer physically registered in the network, and the services of the degraded or suspended first communication profile A are no longer available.

[0050] Assume that the first communication profile A is currently selected for communication and that data communication is taking place, e.g., within the framework of cloud-supported navigation or entertainment streaming, via the data connectivity D of the first communication profile A. If the second communication profile B receives a call in this state, as shown in Figure 2B, the first communication profile A can be assigned to the call and the call can be processed via the first communication profile A so that the first communication profile A is not degraded and the data connectivity D is maintained.

[0051] However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example, and numerous other use cases are conceivable. For example, the second communication profile B may currently be selected for communication and an entertainment streaming service is now to be started. The system can then switch to the first communication profile A to use the data connectivity D for streaming.

[0052] In some embodiments, one of the communication profiles (e.g., the first communication profile A) may be a global SIM or eSIM, and the other communication profile (e.g., the second communication profile B) may be a user-specific SIM or eSIM.

[0053] The global SIM or eSIM can differ from a user-specific SIM or eSIM in that the global SIM or eSIM does not have a local IP address and / or has greater latency and / or does not comply with KYC (know your customer). For example, the global SIM or eSIM can be assigned to the vehicle and / or a vehicle manufacturer, whereas the user-specific SIM or eSIM can be assigned to the user. Assume that the global SIM or eSIM is currently selected for communication and an entertainment streaming service is to be started. The system can then switch to the user-specific SIM or eSIM to use the data connectivity D of the user-specific SIM or eSIM for streaming. This can, for example, prevent the data volume of the global SIM or eSIM from being used for private streaming.

[0054] Figure 3 schematically shows a flowchart of a method 300 for providing a communication function according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 can be implemented by appropriate software executable by one or more processors (e.g., a CPU).

[0055] The method 300 comprises, in block 310, selecting, based on at least one selection criterion, either a first communication profile or a second communication profile for a communication, wherein the first communication profile is configured for a plurality of first communication forms and the second communication profile is configured for a plurality of second communication forms, wherein the at least one selection criterion relates to an availability of at least one first communication form of the plurality of first communication forms and / or an availability of at least one second communication form of the plurality of second communication forms; and, in block 320, carrying out the communication with the selected first communication profile or second communication profile.

[0056] According to the invention, the communication profiles are flexibly assigned during operation so that the availability of communication forms or services such as telephony, messaging, and data connectivity can be specifically ensured. For example, both communication profiles can be set up for telephony, but only one of the two communication profiles for data connectivity. If the communication profile without data connectivity receives a call and handles it, the communication profile with data connectivity is downgraded, so that data connectivity is interrupted (e.g., in the case of dual-SIM dual standby, DSDS). Upon receiving the call, the system can then hand over to the communication profile with data connectivity and handle the call via this communication profile, so that the communication profile is not downgraded and data connectivity is maintained.As a result, in this example, both desired services, namely telephony and data connectivity, can be provided simultaneously. The embodiments of the present disclosure can thus enable the user to have communication forms or services available whenever they are needed.

[0057] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned by way of example are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A system (100) for providing a communication function, comprising: a communication profile module (HO) comprising a first communication profile (A) and a second communication profile (B), wherein the first communication profile is configured for a plurality of first communication forms (T, M, D) and the second communication profile (B) is configured for a plurality of second communication forms (T, M, D); a selection module (120) configured to select either the first communication profile (A) or the second communication profile (A) for a communication based on at least one selection criterion, wherein the at least one selection criterion relates to an availability of at least one first communication form of the plurality of first communication forms (T, M, D) and / or an availability of at least one second communication form of the plurality of second communication forms (T, M, D);and a communication module (130) configured to perform the communication with the selected first communication profile (A) or second communication profile (B); 2. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of first communication forms (T, M, D) are selected from the group consisting of telephony (T), messaging (M), and data connectivity (D); and / or the plurality of second communication forms (T, M, D) are selected from the group consisting of telephony (T), messaging (M), and data connectivity (D).

3. System (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of first communication forms (T, M, D) and the plurality of second communication forms (T, M, D) differ at least partially.

4. System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the system (100) is configured for dual SIM dual standby.

5. System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one first form of communication and / or the at least one second form of communication relate to data connectivity (D), and wherein the selection module (120) is configured to select the communication profile (A, B) for the communication such that data connectivity (D) is possible and / or maintained during a call.

6. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: the first communication profile (A) is a first SIM profile, in particular a first eSIM profile; and / or the second communication profile (B) is a second SIM profile, in particular a second eSIM profile.

7. System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication module (130) comprises or is a modem, and wherein the communication takes place using the selected communication profile (A, B) via the modem.

8. Means of transport, in particular a vehicle (10), comprising the system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer-implemented method (300) for providing a communication function, comprising: Selecting (310), based on at least one selection criterion, either a first communication profile (A) or a second communication profile (B) for a communication, wherein the first communication profile (A) is set up for a plurality of first communication forms (T, M, D) and the second communication profile (B) is set up for a plurality of second communication forms (T, M, D), wherein the at least one selection criterion is an availability of at least one first communication form of the plurality of first communication forms (T, M, D) and / or an availability of at least one second communication form of the plurality of second communication forms (T, M, D); and Carrying out (320) the communication with the selected first communication profile (A) or second communication profile (B).

10. A storage medium comprising a software program configured to be executed on one or more processors and thereby to carry out the method (300) according to claim 9.

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