V-SIM Roaming Charging System for Reducing Network Fees

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face high roaming fees when switching between different wireless network operators, especially when frequently traveling between regions, as existing solutions do not effectively manage network connections and data plans across multiple operators.

Innovation Solution

A charging system comprising a V-SIM card server, an authentication server, and a comprehensive charging server that purchases data plans from multiple operators, allowing terminals to acquire and use V-SIM card information for foreign networks, disconnecting local SIM card connections and establishing connections using V-SIM card information to reduce roaming fees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users apply for SIM cards from multiple local operators to access networks in different regions, then network access availability is improved, but device complexity and user management burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access availabilityVSAvoidSIM card management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal SIM card system that can function across multiple network operators and regions. The SIM card is designed to support multiple ICCIDs (Integrated Circuit Card Identifiers) and can be dynamically configured to work with different home network operators and roaming partners, eliminating the need for users to carry multiple physical SIM cards for different regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a hierarchical structure where a master SIM card contains embedded or logically nested virtual SIM profiles representing different network operators. The system nests multiple levels of network access credentials within a single physical card, allowing the terminal to select and activate appropriate network profiles based on location and service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users frequently switch between multiple regions, then network access flexibility is improved, but roaming fees and service management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregion switching flexibilityVSAvoidroaming fees
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures the SIM card with multiple ICCIDs and establishes advance agreements with multiple home network operators and roaming partners. Network access credentials, authentication keys, and service profiles are prepared in advance within the SIM card, enabling users to roam across regions without incurring high fees by selecting from pre-negotiated low-cost roaming arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a network management system that acts as an intermediary between users and multiple network operators. This intermediary system manages the complexity of inter-operator agreements, authentication, and billing, allowing users to benefit from reduced roaming fees through bulk-negotiated rates while the intermediary handles the complex coordination between different network providers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single SIM card supports multiple ICCIDs and network operators, then roaming capability is improved, but SIM card complexity and authentication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-operator roaming capabilityVSAvoidSIM card structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The SIM card is segmented into distinct functional modules, each handling specific network operator profiles or ICCIDs. The card contains separate authentication storage areas, key management units, and profile selection mechanisms that can independently manage multiple network identities without interfering with each other, reducing the complexity burden on the terminal device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3291587B1Service data transmission charging method, terminal and computer storage medium
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 ZTE CORP
  • EP3291587B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291587B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3291587B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a service data transmission method, a terminal and a charging system, and a computer storage medium. The method comprises: when detecting that a terminal roams from a local place to a different place, requesting and acquiring V-SIM card information about the different place from a V-SIM card server; disconnecting network connections which are established using a SIM card, and establishing network connections using the acquired V-SIM card information; and transmitting service data using the established network connections.