Multi-Identity Mobile Communication Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communications devices are limited to a single identity and associated content, requiring separate devices for personal and professional lives, which is inefficient and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable mobile communications devices to support multiple identities, with associated content stored centrally on a network, allowing subscribers to access and manage these identities and content across various devices using authentication credentials, enabling seamless switching and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single identity is hard-wired to a mobile device via SIM card, then device security and simplicity are maintained, but the ability to support multiple identities on one device is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The identity management system is segmented into two parts: identity data stored centrally on the network and authentication credentials stored locally on the device. This allows multiple identities to be supported without increasing device complexity, as the device only needs to store small authentication tokens rather than complete identity profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary between the device and multiple identities. Instead of storing multiple identities directly on the device, the system uses an authentication server that verifies credentials and provides access to the appropriate identity data, thereby enabling multi-identity support without complicating the device structure.
2Ease of operation
If separate mobile devices are used for different identities, then identity separation and security are maintained, but device portability and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A single mobile device is made universal by enabling it to access multiple identities through stored authentication credentials. The device can switch between different identities (personal, business, etc.) while maintaining secure separation through the authentication mechanism, thus providing both portability and security.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring physical copies of SIM cards for each identity, the system creates digital copies of authentication credentials that can be stored and managed on a single device. These credential copies enable access to multiple identities without compromising the security of the original identity data stored on the network.
3Adaptability or versatility
If identities are decoupled from specific devices, then flexibility and content accessibility are improved, but device-specific security mechanisms are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication credentials are pre-configured and stored securely on the device before identity access is needed. The network is pre-configured with identity data and access control rules. This preliminary setup enables flexible identity access while maintaining security, as the authentication mechanism is already in place to verify and control access to each identity.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system provides feedback by verifying credentials against the network database and granting or denying access to specific identities. This feedback mechanism ensures that even though identities are decoupled from devices, security is maintained through continuous verification and control of access permissions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for communicating using a plurality of identities is disclosed. The method includes communicating on a mobile communications device using a first identity having an associated first content and communicating using a second identity having an associated second content. The apparatus includes a processor for communicating with a communications network using the first identity having the associated first content and using the second identity having the associated second content.