Service Plan Transfer Between Non-Linked Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanisms for transferring cellular wireless service plans between mobile devices require a common user account and linked devices, limiting the ability to transfer plans between non-linked wireless devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a target device broadcasts a Bluetooth advertisement beacon with a specific action flag to initiate a service plan transfer, requiring authentication through a verification code or QR code, and using a secure Bluetooth connection to transfer the service plan token from a source device to a mobile network operator's entitlement server for authorization and installation on the target device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common user account and linked devices are required for service plan transfer, then the transfer process can be securely authorized, but the transfer capability is limited to only linked devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the account linking requirement from the transfer process. Instead of requiring devices to be linked through a common user account, the invention uses device-to-device communication where the target device independently discovers and communicates with the source device via Bluetooth advertisement beacons, eliminating the intermediary account system while maintaining secure transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Bluetooth advertisement beacons as an intermediary mechanism for device discovery and initiation. The target device broadcasts a beacon containing a transfer action flag, which the source device scans and responds to, creating a mediator layer that enables transfer without direct account linkage between devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If device-to-device Bluetooth communication is used for transfer initiation, then transfer between non-linked devices is enabled, but authentication security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication actions before the actual service plan transfer. The source and target devices perform mutual verification through verification codes or QR code scanning before establishing the transfer connection, ensuring security is established in advance rather than during the transfer process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses QR code copying as an authentication mechanism. The target device displays a QR code that contains authentication information, which the source device scans and verifies. This optical copying method provides a secure, user-friendly authentication process that doesn't rely on complex password systems
Data Source
AI summary
This Application sets forth techniques for transfer of a cellular wireless service plan associated with a SIM or an semis between non-linked wireless devices. A target wireless device broadcasts an advertisement beacon requesting transfer of a cellular wireless service plan. After successful authentication with a source wireless device, using a manually entered verification code or a QR verification code, the target wireless device selects a cellular wireless service plan to transfer. The source wireless device obtains a transfer token from an MNO entitlement server for transfer of the selected cellular wireless service plan and provides the transfer token to the target wireless device via a secure, short distance Bluetooth connection or, alternatively, embedded in an encrypted QR code. The target wireless device uses the transfer token to obtain a new eSIM associated with transfer of the cellular wireless service plan.