SIM Provisioning Status Detection via MDN Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile devices lack a straightforward method to determine the provisioning status of a subscriber identity module (SIM) without complex software, firmware, or hardware modifications, and conventional approaches may be unreliable or impact data allowances.
Innovation Solution
A direct and reliable method involving read operations to determine the mobile directory number (MDN) stored in the SIM, with a first read prior to registration and a second read after a delay or triggered by a REFRESH command, allowing the device to infer subscription status through evaluating MDN values and using app-directed SMS messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional approaches to determine SIM provisioning status are used, then network access can be obtained, but the methods are unreliable and may negatively impact user data allowance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/network-based approach (using network redirect features) with an electronic/software-based approach (reading MDN values from SIM and comparing with network-provided MDN). This substitution eliminates the need for network redirects that consume data allowance while maintaining reliable provisioning status detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - reading and comparing MDN (Mobile Directory Number) values from the SIM card with MDN values provided by the network. This intermediary comparison method serves as a reliable indicator of provisioning status without requiring actual network data transmission that would consume user data allowance.
2Measurement precision
If complex multi-layer software, firmware, and hardware modifications are made to determine SIM provisioning status, then accurate status information can be obtained, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information needed for provisioning status determination (MDN value) directly from the SIM card using existing read capabilities. By focusing only on extracting and comparing this single critical parameter, the solution achieves accurate detection without requiring complex multi-layer modifications to software, firmware, or hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a copying approach by reading the MDN value stored in the SIM card and comparing it with the MDN value provided by the network. This simple copying and comparison method achieves precise provisioning status detection without the need for complex modifications, as it leverages existing read capabilities rather than requiring new hardware or complex software layers.
3Loss of information
If network redirect features are used to determine SIM provisioning status, then status information can be obtained, but the method is unreliable and data allowance is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by reading the MDN value from the SIM card before attempting network registration or data transmission. This preliminary extraction of provisioning status information allows the device to determine subscription status in advance, making the process reliable and preventing unnecessary data allowance consumption from failed registration attempts or redirects.
Data Source
AI summary
Identifying an unknown subscriber identity module (SIM) includes reading a first value representing a mobile directory number from the SIM, where the first value is automatically read prior to a registration of a mobile device with a network, and reading a second value representing the mobile directory number from the SIM, where the second value is automatically read after the registration has occurred. The method includes evaluating the first and the second values representing the mobile directory number, and determining a provisioning status associated with the SIM based on the evaluating.