ENABLING AN EFFICIENT TRANSITION OF MULTIPLE MOBILE DEVICES FROM ONE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK TO ANOTHER

The disclosed system receives, from a first UE operating on the second network, a request to enable the first UE and a second UE to operate on the first network. The request includes an address associated with the second UE and a second phone number of the second UE. The system obtains a first unique identifier of the first UE and generates a second message including an invitation uniquely associated with the second phone number. The system sends the second message to the address associated with the second UE. Upon receiving the selection of the invitation, the system obtains from the second UE a second unique identifier of the second UE. Based on the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier, the system enables the first UE and the second UE to operate on the first network.

BACKGROUND

Switching wireless service providers can be an arduous process, especially if there are multiple devices associated with the same plan. The person requesting the change of the wireless service providers needs to provide detailed information about each of the devices on the same plan. That detailed information can be hard to gather. In addition, the person may need to wait for each step in the transfer to be completed before the next step begins. Overall, the whole transfer process can take multiple hours to complete.

Detailed descriptions of implementations of the present invention will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Presented here is a system to enable an efficient transition of multiple mobile devices from a wireless telecommunication network B to a wireless telecommunication network A. The system receives a request from a mobile device A among the multiple mobile devices operating on the wireless telecommunication network B to enable the mobile device A and a mobile device B to operate on the wireless telecommunication network A. The mobile device A includes an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) A number, and the mobile device B includes an eSIM B number. The request includes an address associated with the mobile device B, such as an email of a user of the mobile device B, and a phone number B of the mobile device B. Mobile device A can use an application running on the mobile device A to send the request, or can send the request via a website.

The system obtains an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) A associated with the mobile device A and the eSIM A number. The system generates a message including a uniform resource locator (URL) link uniquely associated with the phone number B. The system sends the message to the address associated with the mobile device B. Upon receiving the selection of the URL link, the system obtains from the mobile device B an IMEI B of the mobile device B and the eSIM B number. Based on the IMEI A, the eSIM A number, the IMEI B, and the eSIM B number, the system enables the mobile device A and the mobile device B to operate on the wireless telecommunication network A.

Wireless Communications System

FIG.1is a block diagram that illustrates a wireless telecommunication network100(“network100”) in which aspects of the disclosed technology are incorporated. The network100includes base stations102-1through102-4(also referred to individually as “base station102” or collectively as “base stations102”). A base station is a type of network access node (NAN) that can also be referred to as a cell site, a base transceiver station, or a radio base station. The network100can include any combination of NANs including an access point, radio transceiver, gNodeB (gNB), NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), Home NodeB or Home eNodeB, or the like. In addition to being a wireless wide area network (WWAN) base station, a NAN can be a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, such as an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 access point.

The NANs of a network100formed by the network100also include wireless devices104-1through104-7(referred to individually as “wireless device104” or collectively as “wireless devices104”) and a core network106. The wireless devices104-1through104-7can correspond to or include network100entities capable of communication using various connectivity standards. For example, a 5G communication channel can use millimeter wave (mmW) access frequencies of 28 GHz or more. In some implementations, the wireless device104can operatively couple to a base station102over a long-term evolution/long-term evolution-advanced (LTE/LTE-A) communication channel, which is referred to as a 4G communication channel.

The core network106provides, manages, and controls security services, user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The base stations102interface with the core network106through a first set of backhaul links (e.g., S1 interfaces) and can perform radio configuration and scheduling for communication with the wireless devices104or can operate under the control of a base station controller (not shown). In some examples, the base stations102can communicate with each other, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through the core network106), over a second set of backhaul links110-1through110-3(e.g., X1 interfaces), which can be wired or wireless communication links.

The base stations102can wirelessly communicate with the wireless devices104via one or more base station antennas. The cell sites can provide communication coverage for geographic coverage areas112-1through112-4(also referred to individually as “coverage area112” or collectively as “coverage areas112”). The geographic coverage area112for a base station102can be divided into sectors making up only a portion of the coverage area (not shown). The network100can include base stations of different types (e.g., macro and/or small cell base stations). In some implementations, there can be overlapping geographic coverage areas112for different service environments (e.g., Internet-of-Things (IoT), mobile broadband (MBB), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-to-everything (M2X), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), machine-type communication (MTC), etc.).

The network100can include a 5G network100and/or an LTE/LTE-A or other network. In an LTE/LTE-A network, the term “eNBs” is used to describe the base stations102, and in 5G new radio (NR) networks, the term “gNBs” is used to describe the base stations102that can include mmW communications. The network100can thus form a heterogeneous network100in which different types of base stations provide coverage for various geographic regions. For example, each base station102can provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, and/or other types of cells. As used herein, the term “cell” can relate to a base station, a carrier or component carrier associated with the base station, or a coverage area (e.g., sector) of a carrier or base station, depending on context.

Wireless devices can be integrated with or embedded in other devices. As illustrated, the wireless devices104are distributed throughout the network100, where each wireless device104can be stationary or mobile. For example, wireless devices can include handheld mobile devices104-1and104-2(e.g., smartphones, portable hotspots, tablets, etc.); laptops104-3; wearables104-4; drones104-5; vehicles with wireless connectivity104-6; head-mounted displays with wireless augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) connectivity104-7; portable gaming consoles; wireless routers, gateways, modems, and other fixed-wireless access devices; wirelessly connected sensors that provide data to a remote server over a network; IoT devices such as wirelessly connected smart home appliances, etc.

A wireless device (e.g., wireless devices104-1,104-2,104-3,104-4,104-5,104-6, and104-7) can be referred to as a user equipment (UE), a customer premise equipment (CPE), a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a handheld mobile device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, terminal equipment, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a mobile client, a client, or the like.

A wireless device can communicate with various types of base stations and network100equipment at the edge of a network100including macro eNBs/gNBs, small cell eNBs/gNBs, relay base stations, and the like. A wireless device can also communicate with other wireless devices either within or outside the same coverage area of a base station via device-to-device (D2D) communications.

The communication links114-1through114-9(also referred to individually as “communication link114” or collectively as “communication links114”) shown in network100include uplink (UL) transmissions from a wireless device104to a base station102, and/or downlink (DL) transmissions from a base station102to a wireless device104. The downlink transmissions can also be called forward link transmissions while the uplink transmissions can also be called reverse link transmissions. Each communication link114includes one or more carriers, where each carrier can be a signal composed of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveform signals of different frequencies) modulated according to the various radio technologies. Each modulated signal can be sent on a different sub-carrier and carry control information (e.g., reference signals, control channels), overhead information, user data, etc. The communication links114can transmit bidirectional communications using frequency division duplex (FDD) (e.g., using paired spectrum resources) or time division duplex (TDD) operation (e.g., using unpaired spectrum resources). In some implementations, the communication links114include LTE and/or mmW communication links.

In some implementations of the network100, the base stations102and/or the wireless devices104include multiple antennas for employing antenna diversity schemes to improve communication quality and reliability between base stations102and wireless devices104. Additionally or alternatively, the base stations102and/or the wireless devices104can employ multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) techniques that can take advantage of multi-path environments to transmit multiple spatial layers carrying the same or different coded data.

In some examples, the network100implements 6G technologies including increased densification or diversification of network nodes. The network100can enable terrestrial and non-terrestrial transmissions. In this context, a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) is enabled by one or more satellites such as satellites116-1and116-2to deliver services anywhere and anytime and provide coverage in areas that are unreachable by any conventional Terrestrial Network (TN). A 6G implementation of the network100can support terahertz (THz) communications. This can support wireless applications that demand ultrahigh quality of service (QoS) requirements and multi-terabits-per-second data transmission in the era of 6G and beyond, such as terabit-per-second backhaul systems, ultrahigh-definition content streaming among mobile devices, AR/VR, and wireless high-bandwidth secure communications. In another example of 6G, the network100can implement a converged Radio Access Network (RAN) and core architecture to achieve Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS) and achieve extremely low user plane latency. In yet another example of 6G, the network100can implement a converged Wi-Fi and core architecture to increase and improve indoor coverage.

5G Core Network Functions

FIG.2is a block diagram that illustrates an architecture200including 5G core network functions (NFs) that can implement aspects of the present technology. A wireless device202can access the 5G network through a NAN (e.g., gNB) of a RAN204. The NFs include an Authentication Server Function (AUSF)206, a Unified Data Management (UDM)208, an Access and Mobility management Function (AMF)210, a Policy Control Function (PCF)212, a Session Management Function (SMF)214, a User Plane Function (UPF)216, and a Charging Function (CHF)218.

The interfaces N1 through N15 define communications and/or protocols between each NF as described in relevant standards. The UPF216is part of the user plane and the AMF210, SMF214, PCF212, AUSF206, and UDM208are part of the control plane. One or more UPFs can connect with one or more data networks (DNs)220. The UPF216can be deployed separately from control plane functions. The NFs of the control plane are modularized such that they can be scaled independently. As shown, each NF service exposes its functionality in a Service Based Architecture (SBA) through a Service Based Interface (SBI)221that uses HTTP/2. The SBA can include a Network Exposure Function (NEF)222, an NF Repository Function (NRF)224, a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF)226, and other functions such as a Service Communication Proxy (SCP).

The SBA can provide a complete service mesh with service discovery, load balancing, encryption, authentication, and authorization for interservice communications. The SBA employs a centralized discovery framework that leverages the NRF224, which maintains a record of available NF instances and supported services. The NRF224allows other NF instances to subscribe and be notified of registrations from NF instances of a given type. The NRF224supports service discovery by receipt of discovery requests from NF instances and, in response, details which NF instances support specific services.

The NSSF226enables network slicing, which is a capability of 5G to bring a high degree of deployment flexibility and efficient resource utilization when deploying diverse network services and applications. A logical end-to-end (E2E) network slice has pre-determined capabilities, traffic characteristics, and service-level agreements, and includes the virtualized resources required to service the needs of a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) or group of subscribers, including a dedicated UPF, SMF, and PCF. The wireless device202is associated with one or more network slices, which all use the same AMF. A Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) function operates to identify a network slice. Slice selection is triggered by the AMF, which receives a wireless device registration request. In response, the AMF retrieves permitted network slices from the UDM208and then requests an appropriate network slice of the NSSF226.

The UDM208introduces a User Data Convergence (UDC) that separates a User Data Repository (UDR) for storing and managing subscriber information. As such, the UDM208can employ the UDC under 3GPP TS 22.101 to support a layered architecture that separates user data from application logic. The UDM208can include a stateful message store to hold information in local memory or can be stateless and store information externally in a database of the UDR. The stored data can include profile data for subscribers and/or other data that can be used for authentication purposes. Given a large number of wireless devices that can connect to a 5G network, the UDM208can contain voluminous amounts of data that is accessed for authentication. Thus, the UDM208is analogous to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), serving to provide authentication credentials while being employed by the AMF210and SMF214to retrieve subscriber data and context.

The PCF212can connect with one or more application functions (AFs)228. The PCF212supports a unified policy framework within the 5G infrastructure for governing network behavior. The PCF212accesses the subscription information required to make policy decisions from the UDM208, and then provides the appropriate policy rules to the control plane functions so that they can enforce them. The SCP (not shown) provides a highly distributed multi-access edge compute cloud environment and a single point of entry for a cluster of network functions, once they have been successfully discovered by the NRF224. This allows the SCP to become the delegated discovery point in a datacenter, offloading the NRF224from distributed service meshes that make up a network operator's infrastructure. Together with the NRF224, the SCP forms the hierarchical 5G service mesh.

The AMF210receives requests and handles connection and mobility management while forwarding session management requirements over the N11 interface to the SMF214. The AMF210determines that the SMF214is best suited to handle the connection request by querying the NRF224. That interface and the N11 interface between the AMF210and the SMF214, assigned by the NRF224, use the SBI221. During session establishment or modification, the SMF214also interacts with the PCF212over the N7 interface and the subscriber profile information stored within the UDM208. Employing the SBI221, the PCF212provides the foundation of the policy framework that, along with the more typical QoS and charging rules, includes Network Slice selection, which is regulated by the NSSF226.

Enabling an Efficient Transition of Multiple Mobile Devices from One to Another Wireless Telecommunication Network

FIG.3shows the steps to transition a primary UE from one network to another. The primary UE, in this case a wireless device104as shown inFIG.1, can operate on one wireless telecommunication network, such as the AT&T network, and can send a request to another network100inFIG.1, such as the T-Mobile network, to transition the primary UE to the network100. Upon receiving the request, the network100, in step300, can determine whether the UE is eligible to be transferred.

To determine whether the primary UE104is eligible, the network100can determine the technical capabilities of the primary UE and determine whether the technical capabilities of the primary UE are compatible with the network100. For example, if the primary UE104is a 4G UE, but the network100is a 5G network, the network can indicate to the primary UE that the primary UE is not eligible to be transferred.

Upon determining that the primary UE104is eligible to be transferred, in step310, the network100can ask the primary UE104to select additional UEs, e.g., secondary UEs, to transfer to the network100. The primary UE104can indicate one or more additional UEs to transfer to the network, such as two additional UEs as shown inFIG.3.

In step320, the primary UE104can select a plan to provide to all the UEs. Each of the UEs can include an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) number. In step330, the primary UE104can provide the eSIM number and an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) associated with the primary UE. In step340, the primary UE104can provide an address and/or a phone number of the second UE. Similarly, in step350, the primary UE104can provide an address and/or a phone number of the third UE. The address can be nongeographic and unique to the user of the second UE, such as an email, or the address can be a phone number associated with the second UE.

In step360, the network100can process the received information. In step370, the network100can enable the primary UE104to operate by activating the first line. To determine the phone number associated with the primary UE104on the network100, the network can ask the primary UE whether the user associated with the primary UE wants to keep the same phone number, or obtain a different phone number. If the user wants to keep the same phone number, the network100can transfer the same phone number from the previous network. If the user wants to obtain a different phone number, the network100can generate a new phone number and activate it. Similarly, the network100can ask the primary UE104whether the secondary UEs want to keep their respective phone numbers, or whether new numbers on the network100should be generated. The primary UE104can indicate to keep the phone numbers, generate new phone numbers, and/or keep the phone number for some of the secondary UEs and generate new phone numbers for the other secondary UEs. In step375, the network100can send a message, such as an email, to the primary, e.g., first UE104to indicate successful addition of the primary UE104to the network100.

In steps380,390, the network100can send a message to the second and the third UE, respectively, including an invitation to transfer to the network100. The invitation can include a uniform resource locator (URL) link to a website or an application that can help with the transfer.

FIG.4shows the steps the secondary UE can perform to join the network100inFIG.1. In step400, the secondary UE can receive the message, such as an email, including the invitation to join the network100inFIG.1. The invitation can include a URL link. In step410, the user of the secondary UE can access the website or download an application enabling the secondary UE to transfer to the network100.

In step420, the network100can determine the secondary UE eligibility, such as the technical specifications of the secondary UE. In step430, the network100can determine whether the UE is eligible to join the network100. In step440, upon determining that the UE is eligible to join, the network100can generate a request to create another line. In step450, the network100can activate the line associated with the secondary UE. The phone number associated with the secondary UE can be specified by the primary UE104inFIG.3. In step460, the network100can send a message, such as an email, to the primary UE104and/or the secondary UE to indicate successful addition of the secondary UE to the network100.

FIG.5is a flowchart of a method to enable an efficient transition of multiple mobile devices from a second wireless telecommunication network to a first wireless telecommunication network. In step500, a hardware or software processor executing instructions described in this application can receive a request from a first UE, e.g., the primary UE, among the multiple UEs operating on the second wireless telecommunication network to enable the first UE and a second UE among the multiple UEs to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network. The request can include an address associated with the second UE and a second phone number associated with the second UE. The first UE can install a specialized application to generate and send the request. The address can be an email address, or a phone number of the second UE. The first UE and the second UE can include a first eSIM number and a second eSIM number, respectively.

In step510, the processor can obtain a first unique identifier associated with the first UE. The first unique identifier can include a first IMEI associated with the first UE and a first eSIM number.

In step520, the processor can generate a second message including an invitation uniquely associated with the second phone number. The invitation can be a URL link.

In step530, the processor can send the second message to the address associated with the second UE. For example, the processor can send an email to the second UE.

In step540, the processor can receive a selection of the invitation. For example, the processor can receive a selection of the URL link.

In step550, upon receiving the selection of the invitation, the processor can obtain from the second UE a second unique identifier associated with the second UE. The second unique identifier can include a second IMEI associated with the second UE and the second eSIM number.

In step560, based on the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier, the processor can enable the first UE and the second UE to transition to, e.g. operate on, the first wireless telecommunication network. The first UE in the second UE may no longer to be authorized on the second wireless telecommunications network.

The processor can obtain payment information during the transfer of the first UE. The processor can request from the first UE payment information associated with the first UE. The processor can use the payment information associated with the first UE to enable both the first UE and the second UE to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network.

The processor can ask a first user of the first UE whether to keep or change the number of the first UE. The processor can obtain a first phone number associated with the first UE. The processor can query the first UE whether to preserve the first phone number on the first wireless telecommunication network or change the first phone number. Upon receiving an indication to preserve the first phone number on the first wireless telecommunication network, the processor can enable the first UE to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network using the first phone number. Upon receiving an indication to change the first phone number, the processor can generate a phone number different from the first phone number. The processor can enable the first UE to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network using the generated phone number.

The processor can ask the first user whether to keep or change the number of the second UE. The processor can query the first UE whether to preserve the second phone number on the first wireless telecommunication network or change the second phone number. Upon receiving an indication to preserve the second phone number on the first wireless telecommunication network, the processor can enable the second UE to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network using the second phone number. Upon receiving an indication to change the second phone number, the processor can generate a phone number different from the second phone number. The processor can enable the second UE to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network using the generated phone number.

If there are multiple additional UEs, such as a second and a third UE, the first UE can indicate to keep the phone number of one of the additional UEs, and generate a new phone number for the other additional UE. The processor can receive the request from a first UE among the multiple UEs operating on the second wireless telecommunication network to enable the first UE, a second UE among the multiple UEs, and a third UE among the multiple UEs to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network. The processor can query the first UE whether to preserve the second phone number on the first wireless telecommunication network or change the second phone number. The processor can query the first UE whether to preserve a third phone number associated with the third UE on the first wireless telecommunication network or change the third phone number. The processor can receive a second indication to preserve the second phone number, and a third indication to change the third phone number. Upon receiving the third indication to change the third phone number, the processor can generate a phone number different from the third phone number. Based on the second indication, the processor can enable the second UE to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network using the second phone number. Based on the third indication, the processor can enable the third UE to operate on the first wireless telecommunication network using the generated phone number.

Before transferring the first UE and the secondary UEs to the network100inFIG.1, the processor can perform a security check and verify that the first UE requesting the transfer is authorized to make the request. Upon receiving the request from the first UE, the processor can obtain a first phone number associated with the first UE, and a secret identifier associated with the first phone number. The processor can verify whether the secret identifier is associated with the first UE. The secret identifier can be a personal identification number (PIN) associated with the first UE. The processor can verify with the second wireless network that the PIN and the UE are associated with each other. Upon verifying that the secret identifier is not associated with the first UE, the processor can send a first message to the first UE indicating that the transition of the multiple UEs from the second wireless telecommunication network to the first wireless telecommunication network cannot proceed. Upon verifying that the secret identifier is associated with the first UE, the processor can proceed with transferring the first UE to the network100.

Computer System

FIG.6is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a computer system600in which at least some operations described herein can be implemented. As shown, the computer system600can include: one or more processors602, main memory606, non-volatile memory610, a network interface device612, a video display device618, an input/output device620, a control device622(e.g., keyboard and pointing device), a drive unit624that includes a storage medium626, and a signal generation device630that are communicatively connected to a bus616. The bus616represents one or more physical buses and/or point-to-point connections that are connected by appropriate bridges, adapters, or controllers. Various common components (e.g., cache memory) are omitted fromFIG.6for brevity. Instead, the computer system600is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which components illustrated or described relative to the examples of the figures and any other components described in this specification can be implemented.

The network interface device612enables the computer system600to mediate data in a network614with an entity that is external to the computer system600through any communication protocol supported by the computer system600and the external entity. Examples of the network interface device612include a network adapter card, a wireless network interface card, a router, an access point, a wireless router, a switch, a multilayer switch, a protocol converter, a gateway, a bridge, a bridge router, a hub, a digital media receiver, and/or a repeater, as well as all wireless elements noted herein.

The memory (e.g., main memory606, non-volatile memory610, machine-readable medium626) can be local, remote, or distributed. Although shown as a single medium, the machine-readable medium626can include multiple media (e.g., a centralized/distributed database and/or associated caches and servers) that store one or more sets of instructions628. The machine-readable (storage) medium626can include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the computer system600. The machine-readable medium626can be non-transitory or comprise a non-transitory device. In this context, a non-transitory storage medium can include a device that is tangible, meaning that the device has a concrete physical form, although the device can change its physical state. Thus, for example, non-transitory refers to a device remaining tangible despite this change in state.

Remarks