Cellular Subscription Management for Standalone IoT Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices with limited capabilities often rely on primary devices for long-range communications, lacking independent cellular service management and subscription transfer capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method for managing a cellular service subscription of a first device via a second device, allowing the second device to receive and modify subscription settings, switch modes, and notify the first device of changes, while determining authorization and obtaining necessary portal addresses for subscription management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wireless communication device operates in independent mode with cellular service, then it achieves standalone communication capability, but it requires complex subscription management and authorization verification processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandalone communication capabilityVSAvoidsubscription management process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a secondary cellular communication device as an intermediary to assist the first device (e.g., wearable, IoT device) with subscription management. The secondary device handles complex tasks such as receiving portal addresses, verifying authorization, and modifying subscription settings, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture for the first device while enabling standalone cellular operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary cellular communication device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can receive portal addresses from either the first device or directly from the network, verify authorization status, manage subscription modifications, and communicate with both the first device and the cellular network. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components or processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a device with limited capabilities is enabled for cellular service, then it gains independent communication ability, but it requires authorization verification and portal address management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent communication abilityVSAvoidauthorization and portal management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the first device to autonomously receive and store its own portal address in its non-volatile memory, allowing it to independently manage its cellular service subscription without requiring continuous intervention from the secondary device or user. This self-service capability simplifies operation while maintaining independent communication ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The portal address is obtained and stored in advance during the device activation or initial setup process. By performing this action beforehand, the system eliminates the need for repeated authorization verification and portal address retrieval during normal operation, thereby simplifying subsequent device usage and management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If cellular service subscription is modified for a first device, then service flexibility is improved, but the complexity of managing subscriptions across devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice flexibilityVSAvoidmulti-device subscription management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary cellular communication device serves as a mediator that handles all subscription modification operations for the first device. It receives modification instructions, communicates with the cellular network to apply changes, and notifies the first device of the updates. This intermediary approach centralizes management complexity in the secondary device while maintaining service flexibility for the first device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the secondary device notifies the first device of subscription modifications. This ensures that the first device is aware of service changes while allowing the secondary device to maintain centralized control over the subscription management process, balancing flexibility with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11770695B2Mechanism to activate and manage a standalone device for cellular service

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 APPLE INC

AI summary

Some embodiments relate to methods and systems for initiating and transferring cellular subscription service using associated cellular communication devices. Cellular service may be initiated for a first cellular communication device via a second cellular communication device. The first cellular communication device may be provisioned to operate in an independent mode. In other scenarios, cellular service may be transferred from the first cellular communication device operating in independent mode to a third cellular communication device, which may be provisioned to operate in independent mode.