On-device Cellular Plan Enrollment for Secondary Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for enrolling secondary wireless devices in cellular add-on plans are cumbersome, often requiring users to visit sales points or interact with representatives, and involve redundant information input due to lack of data sharing between primary and secondary devices.
Innovation Solution
A method for on-device enrollment that allows secondary wireless devices to retrieve plan information from a shared user account, display enrollment options, and complete the enrollment process seamlessly, leveraging API calls to carrier servers for enrollment and eSIM profile installation, enabling one-click activation on the carrier network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users follow existing enrollment methods requiring visits to sales points or interaction with representatives, then enrollment can be completed, but user convenience deteriorates and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to enroll secondary devices in cellular plans autonomously through their own devices. The system allows users to initiate enrollment, select plans, and complete activation without requiring visits to sales points or interaction with representatives. The primary device automatically shares account information with the secondary device, and the system handles plan selection and activation in the background, making the entire process self-service oriented.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the primary device pre-share account information and plan details with the secondary device before enrollment begins. The system prepares enrollment options, pre-fills device information, and has plan availability ready in advance. When the user initiates enrollment on the secondary device, the necessary information is already prepared and waiting, eliminating the need for manual information gathering or representative assistance during the enrollment process.
2Ease of operation
If users manually input information for each device enrollment, then enrollment can be completed, but information redundancy increases and user effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information storage and management between primary and secondary devices through a shared account system. The primary device's account information, including subscriber details, plan preferences, and device identifiers, is combined and made accessible to the secondary device. This merging eliminates the need for users to re-enter the same information on each device, as the system automatically shares and synchronizes account data across devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by having the secondary device receive and use a copy of the primary device's account information. Instead of requiring users to manually input their subscriber details, billing information, and preferences again on the secondary device, the system creates and transmits a copy of the relevant account data from the primary device. This copy is then used to automatically populate enrollment forms and configure the secondary device's cellular service.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides comprehensive plan information and options, then user decision quality improves, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the information presentation to the specific context and user needs. The system analyzes the user's existing plan, device type, and usage patterns to locally adapt what plan options are displayed and how they are presented. Instead of showing all possible plans uniformly to all users, the system curates and prioritizes relevant options based on local user characteristics, making the interface simpler while maintaining comprehensive plan information availability for those who need it.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for on-device enrollment of a secondary wireless device in an add-on cellular plan include receiving, at the secondary wireless device, cellular plan information for a cellular plan of a primary wireless device associated with the secondary wireless device. Based on the cellular plan information, the secondary wireless device displays an option to add the secondary wireless device to the cellular plan of the primary wireless device. A selection of the option to add the secondary wireless device to the cellular plan of the primary wireless device is received, and a request is transmitted to the primary wireless device for enrollment information for enrolling the secondary wireless device in an add-on plan of the cellular plan. The enrollment information, which includes a list of available add-on plans for the secondary wireless device or information associated with a provider of the cellular plan, is received at the secondary wireless device.