Virtualizing Cellular Connection as WLAN Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication devices are unable to seamlessly utilize a cellular connection established with one subscriber identity for services associated with another subscriber identity, limiting the ability to access and utilize data paths across different subscriptions, especially when one connection is compromised or impractical.
Innovation Solution
The system virtualizes a cellular connection established with a first subscriber identity as a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, allowing processes associated with a second subscriber identity to use this connection as if it were a WLAN access point, enabling the use of services like VoIP and messaging through the establishment of a mobile hotspot and secure tunnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cellular connection is established with a first subscriber identity, then the connection can be used for services associated with that subscription, but the connection cannot be utilized for services associated with another subscriber identity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer that acts as an intermediary between the cellular connection and services. This virtualization layer allows a cellular connection established with a first subscriber identity to be presented as a WLAN access point to processes associated with a second subscriber identity, enabling cross-subscription service access without direct coupling between subscriptions and connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the cellular connection interface that can be presented to different subscriber identities. By virtualizing the connection and presenting it as a WLAN access point, the system allows multiple subscriber identities to access the same physical cellular connection through virtual interfaces, eliminating the one-to-one mapping constraint
2Use of energy by moving object
If separate cellular connections are maintained for each subscriber identity, then each connection can be optimized for its specific services, but power consumption increases and roaming charges may be incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single cellular connection universal by allowing it to serve multiple subscriber identities through virtualization. The virtualized connection can be dynamically allocated to different subscriptions based on service needs, enabling one physical connection to perform multiple functions and support various services across different subscriptions without requiring separate dedicated connections for each
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows processes associated with one subscriber identity to autonomously utilize the virtualized cellular connection of another subscriber identity when needed. The virtualization layer manages the allocation and presentation of connection resources, enabling services to self-select appropriate connection resources without manual intervention or requiring dedicated connections for each subscription
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A user equipment includes a radio frequency (RF) modem configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one mobile network operator and a wireless local area network (WLAN) modem configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one WLAN access point. The user equipment further includes a processor coupled to the RF modem and the WLAN modem and at least one memory storing executable instructions. The executable instructions are configured to manipulate at least one of the processor and the RF modem to establish a first cellular connection with a first mobile network operator based on a first subscription represented by a first subscriber identity, and virtualize the first cellular connection as a wireless local area network (WLAN) connection for use by one or more processes executed by the processor for a second subscription represented by a second subscriber identity.