Identification Module Subscription Data Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for changing mobile radio network providers are cumbersome and prone to unauthorized changes, requiring significant logistical and technical efforts, especially when using permanently integrated identification modules.

Innovation Solution

A method and identification module that allow secure switching between active subscription data from one provider to another, using a confirmation message from the original provider to authorize the change, ensuring transparency and preventing unauthorized modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central management center is established to control and authorize subscription data changes, then security against unauthorized changes is improved, but organizational and technical complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidorganizational and technical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification module autonomously manages subscription data changes by receiving initiation messages from the new provider and confirmation messages from the old provider, then self-determines whether to activate new subscription data based on received messages, eliminating the need for a central management center

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the old provider receives notification of the change initiation and can send a confirmation message to the identification module, allowing the module to verify authorization before completing the subscription data change

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional identification modules are exchanged when changing home networks, then subscription data can be changed, but logistical effort increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubscription data change capabilityVSAvoidlogistical effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The identification module dynamically changes its active subscription data through remote message-based activation rather than physical replacement, allowing the module to adapt to different home networks while remaining in the same physical device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the subscription data from the physical identification module, allowing it to be changed remotely through message transmission while the identification module itself remains in place, separating the data from the hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the entire terminal is replaced when changing home networks with permanently integrated identification modules, then subscription data can be changed, but cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubscription data change capabilityVSAvoidterminal replacement requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the subscription data from the terminal hardware, allowing the data to be independently changed through message-based activation while the terminal remains intact, eliminating the need to replace the entire device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2528363B1Change of subscription in an identification module
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP2528363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2528363B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves initiating the switching of active subscription data by the receipt of a message of another party in the identification module (104) of mobile terminal (101). The switching of active subscription data is controlled by the identification module after initiation of the switching of the subscription data of another party, in response to the receipt of an affirmative changing of the message of one provider. An independent claim is included for identification module for mobile terminal.