Temporary IMSI Provisioning for Mobile Subscriber Identity Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing and reusing International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information, particularly in allowing temporary or shared use of IMSIs across different devices and locations, which affects service provisioning and device registration processes.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an identity proxy function and an identity provisioning function to intercept and manage IMSI registration requests, allowing temporary IMSIs to be provisioned and reused across devices, and enabling multiple devices to share the same IMSI based on unique device identification and location, facilitating reassignment and reauthorization of IMSIs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IMSI information is reused across multiple devices and locations, then service flexibility and efficiency are improved, but security and authorization control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IMSI management by creating separate identity pools for active and inactive subscribers. The inactive IMSI pool can be temporarily allocated to new devices, enabling flexible service provisioning while maintaining security through isolated management of different subscriber states
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an identity proxy function as an intermediary between the network and devices using temporary IMSIs. This proxy validates authorization requests and coordinates with the HLR to verify service entitlement, thereby maintaining security controls while enabling IMSI reuse across multiple devices
2Productivity
If temporary IMSIs are provisioned and reused across devices, then device registration processes are improved, but complexity in managing active and inactive IMSI pools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-segmenting the IMSI pool into active and inactive categories before devices need registration. Inactive IMSIs are prepared and staged in advance, allowing rapid allocation to new devices without complex real-time management, thereby improving registration efficiency while controlling complexity through advance preparation
3Ease of operation
If multiple devices share the same IMSI based on unique device identification and location, then service provisioning is improved, but difficulty in detecting and measuring authorization status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the identity proxy function continuously monitors and validates the authorization status of devices using temporary IMSIs. The system receives authorization responses from the HLR and uses this feedback to maintain accurate records of which devices are currently authorized to use specific IMSIs, thereby enabling easy service provisioning while accurately tracking authorization status
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that provides a first message to a communication device that includes a temporary international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) to be provisioned onto the device. A first registration message is sent to a registration function server, wherein the server includes a registry, wherein the first registration message indicates to the server to add the temporary IMSI to the registry. A second registration message is sent to the server in response to detecting expiration of a limited time period, wherein the second registration message indicates to the server to remove the temporary IMSI from the registry. A second message is provided to the wireless communication device that indicates to the wireless communication device the expiration of the limited time period, and that the temporary IMSI is removed from the registry of the registration function server. Other embodiments are disclosed.