Virtual SIM Instantiation for Temporary Service Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack the ability to facilitate temporary and convenient sharing of voice and data services between users, such as during service outages or low battery conditions, and existing solutions like family share plans and international roaming are cumbersome and expensive.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that allows for the instantiation of a virtual Subscriber Identification Module (vSIM) on a host device, enabling temporary service sharing by generating a vSIM populated with the host subscriber's service profile, allowing a guest user to access the host's service through remote provisioning and temporary phone number and IP address allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If family share plans or international roaming services are used, then service sharing capability is provided, but device complexity and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the host subscriber's SIM profile (vSIM) that can be instantiated on guest devices. This virtual SIM contains all necessary authentication and service information, allowing the guest device to access the host's service without complex configuration. The vSIM is a simplified copy that replicates the essential functionality of the original SIM card.
Solution Approach 2:
The service provider network acts as an intermediary that manages the vSIM instantiation, authentication, and service provisioning between the host subscriber and guest user. This intermediary handles all the complex configuration and routing operations, shielding the end users from complexity while enabling service sharing.
2Ease of operation
If traditional service sharing methods are used, then service access is provided, but loss of time occurs due to setup and configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the vSIM with all necessary service profiles, authentication credentials, and routing information before the guest needs to access the service. The service provider network prepares everything in advance, so when the guest requests service sharing, the vSIM is already ready to use immediately without any setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the guest user to request service sharing through a simple interface, and the automated system handles the entire vSIM instantiation and provisioning process without requiring manual configuration or intervention. The guest simply needs to provide basic identification, and the system takes care of everything else automatically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing service sharing solutions are implemented, then service sharing is enabled, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service provider network infrastructure is enhanced with universal vSIM management capabilities that can serve multiple purposes: service sharing, roaming, and temporary service access. The same vSIM instantiation mechanism works across different service types and network scenarios, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems for different sharing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for facilitating service sharing (e.g., voice services, data services, multimedia services, etc.) in a network environment (100). In one example arrangement, upon receiving an input at a host subscriber device (302), a request is generated (306) to a host subscriber's service provider network (304) for instantiating a virtual subscriber identification module (vSIM) populated with the host subscriber's service profile with respect to a service. A guest user's authentication information is provided (354) for performing guest registration and remote provisioning (354, 502) for the vSIM, the remote provisioning including allocation of a temporary phone number and an IP address, which may be used in a mapping relationship for routing calls or sessions engaged by the guest (352) using a service shared with the host subscriber (302).