IMEI Binding and Dynamic Provisioning for Multi-eSIM MNO Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of a single IMEI value for multiple cellular wireless service subscriptions can trigger fraud detection by mobile network operators, particularly when different subscriptions are accessed simultaneously, especially in devices with embedded UICCs (eUICCs) that support multiple eSIMs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a telephony module and baseband module in mobile wireless devices to manage and dynamically provision multiple IMEI values, associating them with physical SIMs and eSIMs based on history and requirements, ensuring secure storage and preventing over-the-air updates to maintain consistent IMEI bindings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single IMEI value is used for multiple cellular wireless service subscriptions, then device complexity is reduced, but fraud detection is triggered by mobile network operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single IMEI value into multiple distinct IMEI values, with each IMEI value being associated with a specific cellular wireless service subscription or profile. This segmentation allows the device to present appropriate IMEI values to different network operators, preventing fraud detection while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic association.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic IMEI provisioning where the system can dynamically select and switch between multiple IMEI values based on which cellular wireless service subscription or profile is currently active. This dynamic adaptation ensures the device always presents the correct IMEI value to the network, avoiding fraud detection without requiring complex manual configuration.
2Reliability
If multiple IMEI values are stored and managed for different profiles, then fraud detection is avoided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the system automatically manages IMEI value assignment and switching based on active profiles. The baseband module and telephony module work autonomously to select appropriate IMEI values without requiring user intervention, thereby reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining reliable fraud detection avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system monitors which cellular wireless service subscription or profile is currently active and automatically adjusts the presented IMEI value accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures the correct IMEI value is always used without requiring complex manual management, as the system self-corrects based on profile status.
3Reliability
If IMEI values are dynamically assigned based on profile history, then compliance with MNO policies is enhanced, but loss of information increases due to binding management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing binding information that associates specific IMEI values with particular cellular wireless service subscriptions or profiles before dynamic switching occurs. This pre-configured binding information is stored and managed systematically, allowing the system to quickly and accurately retrieve the correct IMEI value when a profile becomes active, thereby maintaining MNO policy compliance without significant information management overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
This Application sets forth techniques for binding and dynamic provisioning of international mobile equipment identifier (IMEI) values with cellular wireless service profiles, such as subscriber identity modules (SIMs) on physical SIM (pSIM) cards and electronic SIMs (eSIMs) on an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) of the mobile wireless device. When pSIMs and/or eSIMs change on the mobile wireless device, e.g., based on installation, activation, deactivation, de-installation, etc., IMEI binding logic accounts for the changes and maps IMEI values to pSIMs and/or eSIMs as required. IMEI values can be assigned based on a history of bindings between IMEI values and ICCID values of one or more eSIMS on an eUICC. A most recently used or a newly assigned IMEI value can be associated with an eSIM. Whether to assign an identical IMEI value to multiple eSIMs depends on requirements of associated cellular wireless service subscriptions.