Automatic SIM Card Selection for Roaming Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual-SIM mobile phone users face inconvenient manual switching between SIM cards, leading to unnecessary roaming charges due to incorrect network selection.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatic SIM card selection on user equipment (UE) that scans different communication ranges using various radio access technologies (RATs) to match SIM card identity information with public land mobile network (PLMN) identifications, automatically setting the matching SIM card as primary to avoid roaming charges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual SIM card switching is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and roaming costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSIM card switching convenienceVSAvoidautomatic selection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic SIM card selection by itself without user intervention. The UE automatically scans PLMN identification information, compares it with SIM card identity information, and selects the appropriate SIM card based on the matching results, making the system self-serving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from PLMN scanning results to make selection decisions. The UE continuously monitors network environment, receives PLMN identification information from base stations, compares it with stored SIM card identities, and adjusts SIM card selection based on this feedback loop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual SIM card switching is used, then device complexity is reduced, but roaming costs increase due to wrong judgment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroaming chargesVSAvoidautomatic selection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary comparison of PLMN identification information with SIM card identity information before establishing communication. By pre-matching the network identity with the appropriate SIM card identity, the system prevents incorrect network selection that would lead to roaming charges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical switching with an automated information processing system. Instead of physical SIM card removal and insertion or manual selection through settings, the system uses automated scanning, comparison, and selection based on PLMN and SIM card identity information matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If automatic SIM card selection is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection automationVSAvoidscanning and matching system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic SIM card selection by itself without user intervention. The UE automatically scans PLMN identification information, compares it with SIM card identity information, and selects the appropriate SIM card based on the matching results, making the system self-serving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple RATs are scanned, then adaptability to different networks is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-RAT network compatibilityVSAvoidscanning energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary comparison of PLMN identification information with SIM card identity information before establishing communication. By pre-matching the network identity with the appropriate SIM card identity, the system prevents incorrect network selection that would lead to roaming charges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2757835B1Method of automatic SIM card selection according to network environment
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 ACER INC
  • EP2757835B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2757835B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method of automatic SIM card selection on a multi-SIM user equipment according to network environment is provided. When the user equipment leave its current communication range and enters a new communication range, one or more RATs are used to scan the new communication range and the identity information of each SIM card is compared with the PLMN identification of each scanned PLMN. If a match can be found, the matching SIM card is automatically set as the primary SIM card in order to avoid roaming charge.