IMSI Reassignment via Identity Proxy and HLR Interception
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing and reassigning International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) across multiple devices, leading to issues with registration authorization and service eligibility, particularly for inactive or reassigned SIM cards.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize an identity proxy function and an identity provisioning function to intercept and manage IMSI registration requests, allowing for the reuse or reassignment of IMSIs by distinguishing between devices based on unique identification information, and providing provisioning information to enable or disable IMSI use, ensuring accurate service authorization and reassignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IMSI is assigned to a device and the device becomes inactive, then the IMSI can be reassigned to another device, but the registration process becomes complex and requires additional authorization checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the HLR with reassigned IMSI information before the actual registration occurs. When a device attempts to register, the HLR already has the updated IMSI mapping ready, allowing the system to automatically apply the correct IMSI without complex real-time decision-making processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the HLR receives and processes registration requests, checks the IMSI assignment status, and provides authorization decisions back to the requesting device. This feedback loop enables the system to manage IMSI reassignment dynamically while maintaining clear authorization control.
2Reliability
If the network manages IMSI assignment manually, then service eligibility can be controlled precisely, but network resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The HLR performs self-service by automatically checking its own IMSI assignment status and making authorization decisions without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors its own state, processes registration requests autonomously, and manages IMSI reassignment internally, reducing the need for external management while maintaining precise service eligibility control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameter of IMSI assignment from static to dynamic. By allowing IMSI values to be reassigned and updated in the HLR database, the system can efficiently manage resource utilization while maintaining reliable service eligibility control through automated parameter updates rather than manual configuration.
3Device complexity
If multiple devices share the same IMSI, then device complexity is reduced, but registration conflicts and authentication errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The HLR acts as an intermediary between devices and the network authentication system. It mediates the registration process by checking IMSI assignment status, resolving conflicts between multiple devices, and ensuring that only authorized devices can complete registration. This intermediary function maintains reliability while allowing simplified device identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The HLR performs multiple functions: it stores subscriber information, manages IMSI assignments, processes registration requests, and authorizes service access. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle complex scenarios like IMSI sharing and reassignment without requiring separate specialized systems for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining registration reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that manages utilization of mobile subscriber identity information including enabling use of such information by different communication devices. The use of the same mobile subscriber identity information by multiple devices can be based on detecting device identification information associated with a registration request. Other embodiments are disclosed.