Dynamic HPLMN Configuration on SIM for Roaming Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile device users face limitations in accessing IP and data services when outside their home network due to high roaming costs and restrictive software routines that trigger annoying alerts and power-intensive scanning, especially with devices like Gobi devices that always receive data at local non-roaming rates but lack full software support.

Innovation Solution

The method dynamically updates the home public land mobile network (HPLMN) value on a mobile device's SIM by identifying a participating network, receiving network values, and overwriting existing HPLMN values, allowing seamless network changes without triggering roaming alert routines, using a SIM applet and connectivity service client to manage IMSI and HPLMN values without modifying existing modem or SIM APIs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile device uses roaming networks outside its home network, then access to IP and data services is available, but roaming costs increase and user experience deteriorates due to alerts and power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to IP and data servicesVSAvoidroaming costs and alerts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the HPLMN value on the SIM card changeable and adaptive. Instead of being fixed to a specific home network, the HPLMN can be dynamically updated to match the current network, allowing the device to seamlessly switch between networks without triggering roaming alerts or incurring additional costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of HPLMN value stored on the SIM card. By updating this parameter to reflect the current network's MCC and MNC values, the system transforms the device's network identification from static to dynamic, enabling cost-free access to services while avoiding roaming-related issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the HPLMN value on SIM is fixed to home network, then home network access is prioritized, but access to services outside home network is restricted or costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehome network accessVSAvoidnetwork access flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the HPLMN value from a fixed parameter to a dynamic one that can be updated based on the current network conditions. This allows the system to maintain reliability for home network access when available while gaining the flexibility to switch to other networks when needed, resolving the contradiction between fixed home network prioritization and adaptive network access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If roaming alert routines are triggered, then user awareness of roaming status is improved, but power consumption increases and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awareness of roaming statusVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of roaming alerts (which consume power and degrade user experience) into a beneficial system by implementing automatic HPLMN updates. The system proactively updates the HPLMN value to match the current network, eliminating the need for continuous scanning and alerting, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining user awareness through seamless network switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Measurement precision

If network scanning is performed to find home network, then network selection accuracy is improved, but power consumption and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork selection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the device with the ability to update HPLMN values automatically when switching networks. Instead of performing continuous scanning to determine home network status, the system proactively updates the HPLMN parameter based on network changes, reducing the need for power-intensive scanning operations while maintaining accurate network identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8983447B2Methods, systems and devices for dynamic HPLMN configuration

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, devices and systems enable the dynamic updating of home public land mobile network (HPLMN) information stored on a subscriber identification module (SIM) to avoid a roaming indication, without requiring any modifications to the mobile device modem, SIM application programming interface (API), the modem software, or the mobile device operating system. A mobile device may scan available public land mobile networks (PLMNs) to identify a participating PLMN to which the mobile device may connect, and receive network values having a mobile country code (MCC) value and a mobile network code (MNC) value from the identified PLMN. The mobile device may overwrite an existing HPLMN value and/or one or more IMSI values on the SIM with the receive network values.