SIM Lock Configuration Segmentation for Carrier Plan Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UE SIMLock configurations and SIMs lack the necessary information and control to prevent users from switching between carriers or plans, leading to carriers not recovering the cost of subsidized cellular devices, as they do not differentiate between prepaid and postpaid plans or account types, resulting in potential financial losses.
Innovation Solution
The system enhances UE functionality by utilizing existing SIM data fields, such as GID1 and GID2, to provide additional granularity in information and control, allowing dynamic updates via over-the-air messages, enabling the differentiation between rate plans, brands, and account types, ensuring compatibility between the UE and SIM configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE SIMLock configurations and SIMs use only basic carrier identification (MCC/MNC) without subscriber-specific attributes, then device compatibility and ease of operation are maintained, but carriers cannot enforce plan-specific restrictions or recover subsidized device costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SIM information structure into multiple hierarchical levels: carrier identification (MCC/MNC), brand identification (GID1), and plan identification (GID2). This segmentation allows the system to enforce plan-specific restrictions while maintaining backward compatibility with existing carrier identification mechanisms, thereby protecting carrier revenue without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds new dimensions to the traditional two-dimensional SIM identification system (MCC/MNC) by incorporating GID1 and GID2 fields. This creates a multi-dimensional identification space that enables carriers to enforce plan-specific restrictions and recover subsidized device costs while maintaining compatibility with existing single-dimensional systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If UE configurations are updated dynamically via OTA messages, then adaptability to changing plan requirements is improved, but system complexity and update infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration updates through OTA messages that can modify UE SIMLock configurations remotely. The system allows carriers to update GID1 and GID2 restrictions, brand preferences, and plan requirements without requiring physical SIM replacement or device reconfiguration, enabling real-time adaptation to changing business requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration management system that mediates between carrier billing systems and UE devices. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of dynamic updates, configuration validation, and restriction enforcement, allowing carriers to enforce plan-specific restrictions while shielding end users from system complexity
3Reliability
If the system enforces strict SIM-UE compatibility checking based on multiple criteria, then financial loss prevention is improved, but user convenience and device usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary compatibility checking by embedding plan restriction criteria (GID1, GID2, brand preferences) directly into the UE SIMLock configuration before SIM insertion. The system pre-validates whether a SIM is compatible with the device's enrolled plans, preventing unauthorized plan changes and ensuring subsidized device recovery before the user can switch carriers or plans
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing additional control over user equipment (UE) using standardized features of a subscriber identity module (SIM) is provided. The UE can impose SIMLocking criteria based on subscriber related attributes (such as rate plan, prepay, postpay, etc.). The SIM module can comprise multiple unique entries and one value for each entry. One or more entries on the SIM can be subdivided to provide additional values with each value made up of a subset of bits from a particular entry. Thus, a single entry can provide a plurality of values to make up a SIM configuration. The SIM configuration can be compared to a UE SIMLock configuration with the same, or similar, entries to determine if the SIM is compatible for use with the UE. The SIM configuration can be updated dynamically to reflect changes in the account associated with the UE or the SIM.