Mobile Entity ISIM Binding for Multi-Service Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technologies limit user equipment (UE) to a single IMS Subscriber Identity Module (ISIM), restricting access to multiple IMS services that require different security credentials and identities, such as VoLTE, MCPTT, and RCS, especially in roaming scenarios where alternative IMS networks are needed.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that enable a mobile entity to read data from multiple ISIMs, store this data, and bind specific functions to the appropriate ISIM for authentication and service access, allowing the UE to connect to various IMS services by selecting the correct ISIM based on service requirements, either through multiple ISIM instances or a single ISIM with multiple credentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single ISIM is used in UE, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to access multiple IMS services is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ISIM functionality by introducing multiple ISIM instances (first ISIM, second ISIM) that can be independently selected and bound to different IMS services. This allows the UE to access multiple IMS services (VoLTE, MCPTT, RCS) with different security credentials without managing a single complex ISIM, thus improving adaptability while keeping each ISIM instance relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal ISIM selection mechanism that can bind any ISIM instance to any IMS service based on service requirements. The binding mechanism between ISIM and IMS service creates a multi-functional system where the same ISIM can serve different IMS services, or different ISIMs can be selected for different services, enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ISIM instances are supported, then service flexibility and adaptability are enhanced, but the device complexity and ISIM management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-binding ISIM instances to specific IMS services during configuration or initialization. The binding relationship between ISIM and IMS service is established in advance, so that during operation, the UE can directly use the pre-configured bindings without complex real-time selection and management, thus maintaining ease of operation while supporting multiple ISIM instances for enhanced service flexibility.
3Speed
If ISIM data is stored locally in UE, then access speed and service response time are improved, but security risks increase in roaming scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where ISIM data can be stored locally in the UE for fast access, but access to this data is mediated through authenticated sessions with the home network. The binding between ISIM and IMS service acts as an intermediary layer that controls data access, allowing local storage for speed while maintaining security through controlled access paths that verify user authorization before permitting ISIM data usage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method at a mobile entity for enabling use of multiple Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Services (IMS), the method including reading data from a plurality of IMS Subscriber Identity Modules associated with the mobile entity (1032, 1042, 1052); storing the data at the mobile entity; and binding a function at the mobile entity to one of the plurality of ISIMs (1054).