Virtual SIM Identity Management for Roaming Cost Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current subscriber identity management systems in mobile devices are inefficient when handling roaming scenarios, as they often result in higher costs and inconvenience due to the need for physical SIM card management and lack of dynamic identity assignment based on location.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing subscriber identities on mobile devices and subscriber identity servers, where a temporary subscriber identity is dynamically assigned based on the device's current location, allowing the device to switch between primary and temporary identities as it moves between home and visited zones, thereby optimizing network usage and reducing roaming costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical SIM card management is used for roaming, then subscriber identity can be stored, but device complexity and user inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the SIM card functionality by implementing a Virtual SIM (VSIM) that stores subscriber identity information in the device's memory rather than requiring a physical SIM card. This virtual SIM can be programmed with different subscriber identities and automatically switches between them based on location, eliminating the need for physical SIM card management while maintaining reliable identity storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical SIM card insertion and switching mechanism with an electronic/software-based system. The Virtual SIM uses software control to select and switch between different subscriber identities stored in memory, eliminating the need for physical card handling and reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable identity management.
2Loss of energy
If dynamic identity assignment based on location is implemented, then roaming costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the device's location and automatically selects the appropriate subscriber identity based on the current network location. When the device moves between different geographic areas or networks, the system receives location feedback and dynamically switches the active subscriber identity to match the current location, thereby reducing roaming costs while managing complexity through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the subscriber identity selection dynamic rather than static. The Virtual SIM can dynamically switch between different subscriber identities based on real-time location information, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions and geographic location. This dynamic behavior enables cost-effective roaming by selecting local subscriber identities when available, while the complexity is managed through programmatic control.
3Loss of energy
If temporary subscriber identity is assigned for roaming, then network access cost is reduced, but loss of information about primary identity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the subscriber identity management into multiple independent components: a primary subscriber identity for home network access and multiple temporary subscriber identities for different roaming locations. The Virtual SIM stores both the primary identity and multiple temporary identities separately, allowing the system to switch between them based on location without losing any identity information. Each identity segment can be independently managed and selected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where temporary subscriber identities are discarded (switched away from) when the device returns to its home network, and the primary identity is recovered. The system automatically detects when the device is back in its home network area and switches back to the primary subscriber identity, ensuring that no information is permanently lost. The temporary identities remain available in memory for future use if needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing a pool of subscriber identities, and wirelessly provisioning mobile devices to use one or more of the subscriber identities when a subscriber is roaming on a different network. When a subscriber's mobile device connects to a visited network, a subscriber identity server can be notified. The subscriber identity server may have access to a plurality of available subscriber identities (e.g., registered to various service providers), and may select a suitable subscriber identity matching the subscriber's visited network. The subscriber identity can be communicated to the subscriber's mobile device, which can be reprogrammed to assume the new subscriber identity.