Virtual Identity Management Across Mobile Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile telephony systems restrict users from simultaneously accessing multiple identities across different networks without physically swapping SIM cards, leading to issues like lost airtime credit and inability to receive calls when roaming, especially across countries without roaming agreements.

Innovation Solution

A network-based system, MXShare, manages multiple virtual identities and numbers across different networks, allowing seamless access to calls, SMS, and services without changing the SIM card, using interconnected servers to route calls and messages and manage account balances, enabling users to switch identities and choose the best tariff networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users physically swap SIM cards to access multiple identities, then they can access different network identities, but they lose airtime credit and cannot receive calls when roaming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access multiple identitiesVSAvoidcall reception and airtime credit retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the identity management function from the SIM card itself. Instead of storing multiple identities in a single SIM card or requiring physical SIM swapping, the patent segments the identity data and stores it in a remote database accessible by the mobile device. This allows the device to maintain a single active SIM connection while accessing multiple virtual identities through software-based identity selection and switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If users carry multiple SIM cards for different networks, then they can access multiple identities, but the device complexity and operation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple network identitiesVSAvoidSIM card swapping process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical SIM card swapping process with an electronic/software-based identity switching mechanism. Instead of physically removing and inserting SIM cards, users can switch between multiple identities through software interfaces on the mobile device. The system electronically manages identity activation, deactivation, and switching without requiring any physical manipulation of SIM cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a single SIM card stores multiple identities, then identity switching becomes easier, but the SIM card complexity and potential conflicts between identities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentity switchingVSAvoidSIM card structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the multiple identity storage function from the SIM card itself and places it in an external remote database. The SIM card retains its simple, standard structure with a single identity, while the mobile device communicates with the remote database to access and switch between multiple virtual identities. This extraction eliminates the need for complex multi-identity SIM cards while maintaining ease of identity switching through software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8725139B2Method and system to enable multiple virtual numbers across different mobile networks

Publication Date: 2014.05.13 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a system and method for enabling a subscriber who has multiple virtual or physical SIM identities across several networks to make and receive calls and messages on a single handset at the same time. Key features of the disclosure is the setup and management of multiple virtual IMSIs and MSISDNs, from different networks, or from the same network but different countries or regions, which exist in one or more servers which are able to manage inbound and outbound calls and messages enabling a subscriber to manage multiple identities without the need to swap or replace SIM cards.