eUICC-Based Dual-User Cellular Billing Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively separate and bill cellular connectivity costs based on user purposes and providers for multi-purpose devices, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs for both OEMs and consumers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows a second device to be enrolled in a cellular subscription and billing plan associated with a first device, enabling multiple users to use device capabilities governed by different subscription plans, using eUICC technology to manage multiple profiles and network traffic paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single cellular subscription is shared across multiple devices and users, then connectivity accessibility is improved, but billing complexity and cost allocation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cellular subscription into multiple separate billing plans, with each plan associated with a specific user and device. This allows the system to maintain multiple independent billing relationships while still enabling shared connectivity access, thereby resolving the contradiction between accessibility and billing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device serves multiple functions: it acts as a central enrollment point for multiple devices, manages multiple billing plans simultaneously, and coordinates traffic routing between different service providers. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle complex multi-user scenarios without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If cellular connectivity is funded by a single provider for multi-purpose use, then service availability is improved, but cost efficiency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different billing plans and service provider relationships to different users and devices based on their specific needs and usage patterns. Each user's connectivity costs are optimized independently through their own billing plan, while the gateway coordinates these local optimizations to maintain overall service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device acts as an intermediary between multiple users, their respective service providers, and the cellular network. It mediates the enrollment process, manages multiple billing plans, and routes traffic appropriately, enabling cost-efficient multi-provider arrangements while maintaining reliable service availability through centralized coordination.
3Ease of operation
If multiple billing plans are managed through a single gateway, then user autonomy is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling each user to independently enroll their own device with the gateway, select their preferred service provider, and configure their own billing plan. This autonomous enrollment process improves user autonomy while the gateway's standardized procedures keep system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring enrollment templates, service provider relationships, and billing plan structures before users arrive. This preparation work allows users to quickly self-enroll with minimal complexity, as the heavy lifting of system configuration has already been completed in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method and system are disclosed for connecting a device to subscriptions and cellular billing plans. The method includes enrolling a second device enabled for connectivity to cellular or other wireless service in a cellular subscription and associated billing plan associated with a first device, wherein the enrollment includes providing an identifier for the second device to a cellular service provider associated with the first device by a second user, and allowing a second user to use capabilities of the second device as governed by the cellular subscription and an associated billing plan associated with the first device; while the second device is also configured to allow a first user to use capabilities of the second device as governed by the cellular subscription and an associated billing plan of the first user's choice.