Subscriber Identity Switching for Seamless Mobile Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems require a time-consuming reset and reconnection process when switching from one subscription to another, which is problematic for real-time applications and delay-sensitive services.

Innovation Solution

A subscriber identity changing arrangement that initiates a detachment procedure from the first mobile communication system only after the mobile terminal has attached to the second system, allowing for seamless switching without resetting the device and minimizing data loss during ongoing transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile terminal performs a reset to switch from one mobile communication system to another, then the subscription change is completed, but the switching time becomes too long (at least 30 seconds)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubscription change completionVSAvoidswitching time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal performs a detach procedure from the first mobile communication system in advance, before actually switching to the second system. This preliminary action prepares the terminal for the subscription change, allowing the actual switch to happen faster without requiring a full reset of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the mobile terminal resets to attach to the new mobile communication system, then the new subscription is activated, but real-time traffic is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubscription activationVSAvoidreal-time communication continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The detach from the first system is performed as a preliminary step before switching subscriptions, rather than as part of the switching process itself. This allows the terminal to prepare for the change without interrupting ongoing real-time communications, maintaining productivity while ensuring reliable subscription activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the mobile terminal performs a full reset process, then the subscription change is ensured, but data loss occurs during ongoing transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubscription change assuranceVSAvoiddata loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

By performing the detach procedure in advance as a separate preliminary action, the system can manage the transition more carefully. This allows ongoing data transmissions to be properly handled and completed before the subscription change, ensuring data integrity while still achieving reliable subscription switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3014910B1System and method for soft changing subscriber identity in a mobile communications system
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3014910B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3014910B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3014910B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

A subscriber identity is changed for a mobile terminal ( 10) through the initiation of a sending of an instruction to the mobile terminal (10), via a first mobile communication system ( 18, 30) to which the mobile terminal is attached, to change subscriber identity from a first subscriber identity (IMSI 1) used in the first mobile communication system to a second subscriber identity (IMSI2) for use in a second mobile communication system, and the initiation, after obtaining knowledge of the mobile terminal having attached to the second mobile communication system based on the second subscriber identity, a detachment procedure in the first mobile communication system in relation to the first subscriber identity. The mobile terminal (10) receives the instruction to change, attaches to the second mobile communication system based on the second subscriber identity and detach from the first mobile communication system after having attached to the second mobile communication system.