Wireless Identity Transfer via Kiosk for Roaming Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless devices face high costs and inconvenience when roaming due to lack of trust between service providers, leading to expensive billing practices and the need for frequent UICC card changes, which can be cumbersome and inconvenient, especially when devices are locked to a specific network.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable wireless devices to operate on a foreign operator network by transferring local identity information via short-range wireless communication, allowing users to select and use temporary or permanent local identities, reducing the need for physical UICC card changes and minimizing backhauling for billing purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a device is locked to a specific network operator, then the device can be subsidized by the home network operator, but the user cannot access foreign networks at low cost
Solution Approach 1:
The identity module is segmented from the device. Instead of the device being locked to a specific network operator, the identity module can be separately obtained and installed. This allows the device to remain subsidized by the home operator while enabling access to foreign networks through separate identity modules, resolving the contradiction between device subsidy and network access flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
An identity module serves as an intermediary between the device and the network operator. The identity module contains the subscriber identity and can be exchanged between different operators. This intermediary allows the device to maintain its subsidized status with the home operator while enabling cost-effective access to foreign networks through identity module exchange, eliminating the need for device unlocking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user exchanges UICC cards to access different networks, then the user can access foreign networks at lower rates, but the process requires opening the device and removing the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical process of physically removing and installing UICC cards is replaced by a wireless transfer mechanism. The identity module can be transferred to the device wirelessly, eliminating the need to open the device and remove the battery. This substitution maintains network access flexibility while dramatically improving operational convenience.
3Reliability
If data traffic is sent via dedicated leased connection back to home service provider, then billing accuracy is ensured, but connection speed is limited and delay is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of copying data through a dedicated leased connection back to the home provider, the system uses a local identity module that contains a copy of the necessary identity information. This allows the device to operate directly on the foreign network without backhauling data traffic, maintaining billing accuracy through the identity module while significantly improving connection speed and reducing delay.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device is unlocked to accept UICC cards from different providers, then the user can access foreign networks, but the device costs more upfront
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the device from the network operator dependency by segmenting the identity module. The device remains manufactured and subsidized by the home operator, while the identity module can be obtained from different providers. This segmentation allows network access flexibility without requiring the device itself to be unlocked or cost more upfront.
Solution Approach 2:
The identity module acts as an intermediary that enables network access flexibility without modifying the device. Instead of unlocking the device to accept different UICC cards, the identity module serves as a portable intermediary that can be transferred between networks, maintaining device affordability while enabling versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces roaming costs, simplifies the process of using wireless services abroad by allowing devices to function as local subscribers, eliminating the need for multiple UICCs and minimizing the complexity of card changes, while ensuring secure and efficient billing through local identity management.
Implementation Method 1
transferring, via short-range wireless communication from the kiosk to the wireless device, local identity information to the wireless device
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for transferring identity information for temporary use by a wireless device, visiting a foreign operator network, is provided. A user is presented, at a kiosk, with an opportunity to download a temporary identity which is recognized by the operator network as belonging to a local subscriber, and the user may make a request for service. In response to the user-generated request for service, local identity information is transferred to the wireless device for use thereby. The transfer is short-range wireless communication from the kiosk to the wireless device. The temporary identity, once installed on the wireless device, makes the wireless device appear as a local subscriber. Upon termination of use, the temporary identity is returned to a pool and usable for another wireless device.