Subscriber Identifier Modification for Mobile Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems require network intervention for restricting or blocking device access, which is cumbersome and irreversible, lacking user autonomy and security against fraudulent use.

Innovation Solution

A method that modifies subscriber identifiers on the SIM card to inhibit communication based on geographical or temporal location, allowing temporary restriction and reactivation without network intervention, ensuring security even if the SIM is inserted into another device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the network blocks mobile equipment to prevent fraudulent use, then security is improved, but the process becomes irreversible and requires network operator intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against fraudulent useVSAvoidreversibility of blocking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile station autonomously modifies its own subscriber identifier to inhibit communication, eliminating the need for network operator intervention. The device can independently restore communication by modifying the identifier again, making the process reversible without external assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile station performs positioning verification before attempting communication, and proactively modifies its subscriber identifier in advance to prevent unauthorized communication. This preliminary action prevents fraudulent use before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the network manages equipment inhibition through authentication procedures, then access control is improved, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires network intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoidauthentication procedures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inhibition function is extracted from the network and implemented locally in the mobile station. The device independently verifies positioning information and modifies its subscriber identifier without requiring network authentication procedures, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile station autonomously performs positioning verification and modifies its own subscriber identifier to inhibit communication. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex network-mediated authentication procedures while maintaining access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If subscriber identifiers are modified to inhibit communication, then user autonomy is improved, but the risk of fraudulent use increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser autonomyVSAvoidfraudulent use
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile station verifies positioning information before modifying its subscriber identifier to inhibit communication. This preliminary verification ensures that only authorized modifications are made, preventing fraudulent use while maintaining user autonomy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously verifies positioning information against stored reference data before allowing identifier modification. This feedback mechanism ensures that user autonomy is exercised only when legitimate positioning conditions are met, preventing fraudulent modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2735196B1Method for inhibiting communication between a device and a network
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 ORANGE SA
  • EP2735196B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2735196B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2735196B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cellular network device (10, 20), which transmits a subscriber identifier (MSI, MSI') to the network in order to verify rights to communicate via the network (4). The device (10, 20) obtains (E11) first information related to the positioning thereof (P1). The device also obtains (E12) second positioning information (P1). A comparison (E13) is made between the first positioning information (P1) and the second positioning information (P2). The device transmits a modified identifier (MSI') during a modification step (E14), or a non modified identifier (MSI) on the basis of the results of the comparison.