Patent Publication Number: US-9853670-B2

Title: System and method for portable infotainment via dynamic SIM twinning with temporary service plan transferring in connected car

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to communication systems and, more specifically, to portable infotainment via dynamic subscriber identity module (SIM) twinning and temporary service plan transferring. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems can be generally classified as two categories: a) standalone unit, and b) bridged unit. The standalone IVI system receives its infotainment service through its own communication module with its own service plan. The standalone IVI system does not require a smartphone or a connection to a smartphone. The infotainment service plan of the standalone IVI system is bound with the vehicle and is not portable. Therefore, the standalone IVI system cannot support multiple users. The bridged IVI system depends on a paired smartphone as a bridge to receive its infotainment service. The smartphone can be paired with the bridged IVI system using wired or wireless connections, through which the smartphone provides the communication, processes data, and streams content for the head unit of the bridged IVI system to playback. The smartphone can also project a graphical user interface (GUI) to the head unit of the bridged IVI system and process user interactions or user inputs from the head unit. In the bridged IVI system, the infotainment service plan is bound to the smartphone and portable. This bridged IVI system supports multiple users, but the performance of this system is limited by the paired smartphone and the connection between the bridged IVI system and paired smartphone. 
     The user of a standalone IVI system may not desire the additional management responsibilities of managing a service plan for the smartphone and a second, separate service plan for the standalone IVI system. Also, when making a call from the standalone NI system, the user may prefer to keep the phone number associated with the second, separate service plan private from the recipient of the call, and instead provide a different phone number, such as the phone number associated with the smartphone, to the recipient of the call. The owner of a vehicle having a standalone NI system may desire to allow a family member to borrow the car, yet not allow the borrower to use the second, separate service plan for the standalone IVI system. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first embodiment, an apparatus comprises processing circuitry configured to determine that a primary user equipment (UE) entered a vehicle. The processing circuitry is configured to initiates transmission of an entrance notification to a carrier network server notifying that the primary UE entered the vehicle. The processing circuitry is configured to receive an assignment message from the carrier network server. The assignment message indicates that twinning has been configured between the primary UE and the apparatus. The twinning configuration includes a transfer of assignment of a service plan corresponding to the primary UE from the primary UE to the apparatus. 
     In a second embodiment, a system includes processing circuitry configured to receive an entrance notification notifying that a primary user equipment (UE) entered a vehicle. The processing circuitry of the system is configured to locate a buddy SIM in the vehicle. The processing circuitry of the system is configured to twin the buddy SIM with a primary SIM within the primary UE. Also, the processing circuitry of the system is configured to initiate transmission of an assignment message indicating that twinning has been configured between the primary UE and the buddy SIM. The twinning configuration includes a transfer of assignment of a service plan corresponding to the primary UE from the primary SIM to the buddy SIM. 
     In a third embodiment, a method includes receiving an entrance notification notifying that a primary user equipment (UE) entered a vehicle. The method includes locating a buddy SIM in the vehicle. The method includes twining the buddy SIM with a primary SIM within the primary UE. The method also includes initiating transmission of an assignment message indicating that twinning has been configured between the primary UE and the buddy SIM. The twinning configuration includes a transfer of assignment of a service plan corresponding to the primary UE from the primary SIM to the buddy SIM. 
     Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. 
     Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “transmit,” “receive,” and “communicate,” as well as derivatives thereof, encompass both direct and indirect communication. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, means to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software and/or firmware. The functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C. 
     Definitions for other certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example wireless network according to this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate example wireless transmit and receive paths according to this disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example user equipment according to this disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example wireless network implementing portable infotainment via dynamic subscriber identity module (SIM) twinning in connected cars according to this disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged view of the display of the menu of infotainment applications of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a process of triggering dynamic twinning and provisioning an infotainment service over-the-air to an IVI system according to this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 through 6 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of this disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged device or system. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example wireless network  100  according to this disclosure. The embodiment of the wireless network  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wireless network  100  could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the wireless network  100  includes an eNodeB (eNB)  101 , an eNB  102 , and an eNB  103 . The eNB  101  communicates with the eNB  102  and the eNB  103 . The eNB  101  also communicates with at least one Internet Protocol (IP) network  130 , such as the Internet, a proprietary IP network, or other data network. 
     Depending on the network type, other well-known terms may be used instead of “eNodeB” or “eNB,” such as “base station” or “access point.” For the sake of convenience, the terms “eNodeB” and “eNB” are used in this patent document to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote terminals. Also, depending on the network type, other well-known terms may be used instead of “user equipment” or “UE,” such as “mobile station,” “subscriber station,” “remote terminal,” “wireless terminal,” or “user device.” For the sake of convenience, the terms “user equipment” and “UE” are used in this patent document to refer to remote wireless equipment that wirelessly accesses an eNB, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile telephone or smartphone) or is normally considered a stationary device (such as a desktop computer or vending machine). 
     The eNB  102  provides wireless broadband access to the network  130  for a first plurality of user equipments (UEs) within a coverage area  120  of the eNB  102 . The first plurality of UEs includes a UE  111 , which may be located in a small business (SB); a UE  112 , which may be located in an enterprise (E); a UE  113 , which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); a UE  114 , which may be located in a first residence (R); a UE  115 , which may be located in a second residence (R); and a UE  116 , which may be a mobile device (M) like a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless PDA, or the like. The eNB  103  provides wireless broadband access to the network  130  for a second plurality of UEs within a coverage area  125  of the eNB  103 . The second plurality of UEs includes the UE  115  and the UE  116 . In some embodiments, one or more of the eNBs  101 - 103  may communicate with each other and with the UEs  111 - 116  using 5G, LTE, LTE-A, WiMAX, or other advanced wireless communication techniques. 
     Dotted lines show the approximate extents of the coverage areas  120  and  125 , which are shown as approximately circular for the purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that the coverage areas associated with eNBs, such as the coverage areas  120  and  125 , may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending upon the configuration of the eNBs and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstructions. 
     As described in more detail below, embodiments of the present disclosure enable native connectivity, control, and playback on the head unit of an IVI system without managing a separate Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) plan. Although  FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a wireless network  100 , various changes may be made to  FIG. 1 . For example, the wireless network  100  could include any number of eNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement. Also, the eNB  101  could communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to the network  130 . Similarly, each eNB  102 - 103  could communicate directly with the network  130  and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to the network  130 . Further, the eNB  101 ,  102 , and/or  103  could provide access to other or additional external networks, such as external telephone networks or other types of data networks. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate example wireless transmit and receive paths according to this disclosure. In the following description, a transmit path  200  may be described as being implemented in an eNB (such as eNB  102 ), while a receive path  250  may be described as being implemented in a UE (such as UE  116 ). However, it will be understood that the receive path  250  could be implemented in an eNB and that the transmit path  200  could be implemented in a UE. In some embodiments, the transmit path  200  and receive path  250  are configured to enable native connectivity, control, and playback on the head unit of an IVI system without managing a separate SIM plan. 
     The transmit path  200  includes a channel coding and modulation block  205 , a serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block  210 , a size N Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) block  215 , a parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block  220 , an add cyclic prefix block  225 , and an up-converter (UC)  230 . The receive path  250  includes a down-converter (DC)  255 , a remove cyclic prefix block  260 , a serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block  265 , a size N Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) block  270 , a parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block  275 , and a channel decoding and demodulation block  280 . 
     In the transmit path  200 , the channel coding and modulation block  205  receives a set of information bits, applies coding (such as a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding), and modulates the input bits (such as with Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)) to generate a sequence of frequency-domain modulation symbols. The serial-to-parallel block  210  converts (such as de-multiplexes) the serial modulated symbols to parallel data in order to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is the IFFT/FFT size used in the eNB  102  and the UE  116 . The size N IFFT block  215  performs an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to generate time-domain output signals. The parallel-to-serial block  220  converts (such as multiplexes) the parallel time-domain output symbols from the size N IFFT block  215  in order to generate a serial time-domain signal. The add cyclic prefix block  225  inserts a cyclic prefix to the time-domain signal. The up-converter  230  modulates (such as up-converts) the output of the add cyclic prefix block  225  to an RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal may also be filtered at baseband before conversion to the RF frequency. 
     A transmitted RF signal from the eNB  102  arrives at the UE  116  after passing through the wireless channel, and reverse operations to those at the eNB  102  are performed at the UE  116 . The down-converter  255  down-converts the received signal to a baseband frequency, and the remove cyclic prefix block  260  removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time-domain baseband signal. The serial-to-parallel block  265  converts the time-domain baseband signal to parallel time domain signals. The size N FFT block  270  performs an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel frequency-domain signals. The parallel-to-serial block  275  converts the parallel frequency-domain signals to a sequence of modulated data symbols. The channel decoding and demodulation block  280  demodulates and decodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream. 
     Each of the eNBs  101 - 103  may implement a transmit path  200  that is analogous to transmitting in the downlink to UEs  111 - 116  and may implement a receive path  250  that is analogous to receiving in the uplink from UEs  111 - 116 . Similarly, each of UEs  111 - 116  may implement a transmit path  200  for transmitting in the uplink to eNBs  101 - 103  and may implement a receive path  250  for receiving in the downlink from eNBs  101 - 103 . 
     Each of the components in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  can be implemented using only hardware or using a combination of hardware and software/firmware. As a particular example, at least some of the components in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  may be implemented in software, while other components may be implemented by configurable hardware or a mixture of software and configurable hardware. For instance, the FFT block  270  and the IFFT block  215  may be implemented as configurable software algorithms, where the value of size N may be modified according to the implementation. 
     Furthermore, although described as using FFT and IFFT, this is by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other types of transforms, such as Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) functions, could be used. It will be appreciated that the value of the variable N may be any integer number (such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or the like) for DFT and IDFT functions, while the value of the variable N may be any integer number that is a power of two (such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or the like) for FFT and IFFT functions. 
     Although  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate examples of wireless transmit and receive paths, various changes may be made to  FIGS. 2A and 2B . For example, various components in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs. Also,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are meant to illustrate examples of the types of transmit and receive paths that could be used in a wireless network. Any other suitable architectures could be used to support wireless communications in a wireless network. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example UE  116  according to this disclosure. The embodiment of the UE  116  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is for illustration only, and the UEs  111 - 115  of  FIG. 1  could have the same or similar configuration. However, UEs come in a wide variety of configurations, and  FIG. 3  does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particular implementation of a UE. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the UE  116  includes an antenna  305 , a radio frequency (RF) transceiver  310 , transmit (TX) processing circuitry  315 , a microphone  320 , and receive (RX) processing circuitry  325 . The UE  116  also includes a speaker  330 , a main processor  340 , an input/output (I/O) interface (IF)  345 , a keypad  350 , a display  355 , and a memory  360 . The memory  360  includes a basic operating system (OS) program  361  and one or more applications  362 . 
     The RF transceiver  310  receives, from the antenna  305 , an incoming RF signal transmitted by an eNB of the network  100 . The RF transceiver  310  down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is sent to the RX processing circuitry  325 , which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuitry  325  transmits the processed baseband signal to the speaker  330  (such as for voice data) or to the main processor  340  for further processing (such as for web browsing data). 
     The TX processing circuitry  315  receives analog or digital voice data from the microphone  320  or other outgoing baseband data (such as web data, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from the main processor  340 . The TX processing circuitry  315  encodes, multiplexes, and/or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The RF transceiver  310  receives the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from the TX processing circuitry  315  and up-converts the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via the antenna  305 . 
     The main processor  340  can include one or more processors or other processing devices and execute the basic OS program  361  stored in the memory  360  in order to control the overall operation of the UE  116 . For example, the main processor  340  could control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceiver  310 , the RX processing circuitry  325 , and the TX processing circuitry  315  in accordance with well-known principles. In some embodiments, the main processor  340  includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller. 
     The main processor  340  is also capable of executing other processes and programs resident in the memory  360 , such as operations for enabling native connectivity, control, and playback on the head unit of an IVI system without managing a separate SIM plan. The main processor  340  can move data into or out of the memory  360  as required by an executing process. In some embodiments, the main processor  340  is configured to execute the applications  362  based on the OS program  361  or in response to signals received from eNBs or an operator. The main processor  340  is also coupled to the I/O interface  345 , which provides the UE  116  with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptop computers and handheld computers. The I/O interface  345  is the communication path between these accessories and the main controller  340 . 
     The main processor  340  is also coupled to the keypad  350  and the display unit  355 . The operator of the UE  116  can use the keypad  350  to enter data into the UE  116 . The display  355  may be a liquid crystal display or other display capable of rendering text and/or at least limited graphics, such as from web sites. 
     The memory  360  is coupled to the main processor  340 . Part of the memory  360  could include a random access memory (RAM), and another part of the memory  360  could include a Flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM). 
     Although  FIG. 3  illustrates one example of UE  116 , various changes may be made to  FIG. 3 . For example, various components in  FIG. 3  could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs. As a particular example, the main processor  340  could be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Also, while  FIG. 3  illustrates the UE  116  configured as a mobile telephone or smartphone, UEs could be configured to operate as other types of mobile or stationary devices. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example wireless infotainment network implementing portable infotainment via dynamic subscriber identity module (SIM) twinning in connected cars according to this disclosure. The embodiment of the infotainment network  400  shown in  FIG. 4  is for illustration only. Other embodiments could be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the infotainment network  400  includes a mobile device  116 , an IVI system  410 , an IVI system  411 , and a carrier network  420 . The mobile device  116  communicates with the carrier network  420  through a secure over-the-air communication link  430 . Each IVI system  410 ,  411  communicates with the carrier network  420  through an over-the-air (OTA) communication link  435 ,  436 , respectively. The mobile device  116  is shown in three locations to illustrate that a single user carries the same mobile device  116  to various locations, including inside the vehicle  440   a  (for example, personal vehicle), places outside any vehicle, and inside another vehicle  440   b  (such as, for example, a rental car). 
     Twinning is the ability for the mobile device  116  to use another telecommunications device, such as a vehicle  440 , to replicate, or “twin,” the mobile device  116 , so that when the mobile device rings, so does the “twin” phone (that is, the vehicle  440  telecommunications device). While twinning refers to being able to “twin” the mobile device  116  to one of the vehicles  440 , the “twinning”, or “mobile twinning” can refer to the twinning of any two mobile devices. In certain embodiments, when twinned, that is, in a twinning mode, the vehicle  440  is configured to replicate one or more data functions, such as an infotainment function, of the mobile device  116 . 
     The user of the mobile device  116  subscribes to service plan from a carrier. In the United States of America, examples of a carrier include AT&amp;T, VERIZON, SPRINT, and T-MOBILE. The service plan includes a voice package, such as a telephone service associated with a primary telephone number, a data package, such as a mobile broadband internet service, and a content package, such as an infotainment service. Based on the subscription to the service plan, the carrier provisions a primary SIM for service. That is, the carrier registers an identifier of the primary SIM in association with the service plan, and configures the carrier network  420 , including a carrier server, to provide the voice, data, and content packages to the device containing the primary SIM. 
     In a normal mode, the mobile device  116  that contains the primary SIM communicates with the carrier network  420  through the OTA link  430  to make outbound telephone calls from the primary telephone number, to receive incoming telephone calls to the primary telephone number, to access the internet using mobile broadband, and to receive infotainment content, to interact with infotainment applications using the user interface of the mobile device  116 . For example, interacting with infotainment applications includes selecting user preferences associated with the infotainment service. 
     To reduce driver distractions, when the user of the mobile device  116  is driving, in a twinning mode, the mobile device  116  that contains the primary SIM can be configured to have limited functionality. In certain embodiments, the mobile device  116  in twinning mode is disabled from communicating with the carrier network  420  through the OTA link  430 . In certain embodiments, the user interface of mobile device  116  in twinning mode is limited in functionality such that the user interface of the mobile device  116  is unable to receive user input. As described more particularly below, the mobile device  116  is configured to enter the twinning mode when the user carries the mobile device  116  into a vehicle  440   a ,  440   b.    
     The mobile device  116  can detect that the user carried the mobile device  116  into the vehicle  440   b  by receiving a control signal from the IVI system  411 , where the control signal instructs the mobile device  116  to transmit an entrance notification signal via the OTA link  430 . The mobile device  116  generates the entrance notification signal and includes the GPS locations of the IVI  411  and of the mobile device  116 . The mobile device  116  transmits the entrance notification signal to the carrier network  420 , and in response receives an assignment message from the carrier network  420 . The assignment message indicates that twinning has been configured between the mobile device  116  and the IVI system  411 . 
     In response to receiving the assignment message, the mobile device  116  enters the twinning mode. While in twining mode, the mobile device  116  reduces driver distractions, as the mobile device  116  has limited functionality or the mobile device  116  is disabled. Also, any user preferences associated with the infotainment service that the user selected while the mobile device  116  was in normal mode will be transferred to the IVI system  411  as the user selected preferences. That is, the user does not have to select a set of preferences for use with the mobile device  116  and a re-select the set of preferences for use with the IVI system  411 . Each user of the vehicle  440   b  can consume their own infotainment and personalize their own infotainment set of preferences on the mobile device of that user, even while the user is not in the vehicle  440   b . The user of mobile device  116  has the same infotainment and personalized preferences from the IVI head unit, no matter whether he enters the vehicle  440   a  or  440   b.    
     The mobile device  116  detects that the mobile device is exiting or is no longer disposed within the vehicle  440   b , and in response, transmits a notification, through either direct communication channel such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy beacon, NFC, the carrier&#39;s network  420 , or the like, to the IVI system  411 , instructing the IVI system  411  to transmit an exit notification and indicating that the mobile device  116  is exiting or is not disposed within the vehicle  440   b . In response to receiving a twinning disconnection notification, the mobile device  116  resumes or re-enters a normal mode of operation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the head unit of the vehicle  440   b  includes a cellular module, together referred to as the IVI system  411 . In certain embodiments, the cellular module is coupled to the head unit of a vehicle to form an IVI system, such as via a connection through a wired connection or other physical connection. That is, the IVI system  411  has an independent platform and cellular module. The IVI system  411  includes a buddy SIM card that does not have a separate service plan. That is, the buddy SIM is an active SIM, but can only be controlled by the carrier over-the-air, and does not have a separate service plan for users. The carrier network can add and remove a service plan to the buddy SIM, including voice, data, and content packages, at any time. Therefore, no personalized pre-configuration is needed for any vehicle with this IVI system  411 . For example, the second vehicle  440   a  includes the same type of WI system as the vehicle  440   b . That is, the IVI system  410  could have the same or similar configuration as the IVI system  411 . 
     In certain embodiments, together with the carrier network  420 , IVI system  411  implements a process, such as process  600  described more particularly below in reference to  FIG. 6 , for triggering dynamic twinning and receiving provisioning of an infotainment service over-the-air. By implementing dynamic twinning, the IVI system  411  provides portable and personalized infotainment service to the connected vehicle  440   b . The IVI system  411  enables native connectivity, control, and playback through the head unit of the vehicle  440   b  without forcing the user to manage a separate service plan for the buddy SIM. The IVI system  411  supports multiple users and is not bound to a single user because the infotainment package of the service plan is temporarily transferred from each user&#39;s primary SIM or primary mobile device. In certain embodiments, the IVI system  411  is disposed within vehicle  440   b  and installed as part of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the vehicle  440   b . That is, the IVI system  411  can be considered as “permanent” to the vehicle  440   b . In certain embodiments, the IVI system  411  is configured to be transferred from one vehicle  440  to another vehicle  440 . That is, the IVI system  411  can be a portable device capable of being transferred between a number of vehicles  440  because the vehicle is not bound to any specific user. Accordingly, the user is not bound to any specific car. The user can enter any vehicle that supports dynamic twinning with provisioning of infotainment service over-the-air, and through the head unit of that vehicle, the user will receive personal infotainment (i.e., infotainment normally associated with the primary SIM service plan) according to the set of preferences selected by that user. The IVI system  411  dynamically receives the provisioning in a manner transparent to various users of the vehicle  440   b.    
     More particularly, the IVI system  411  determines when the mobile device  116  of the user enters the vehicle  440   b . For example, the vehicle  440   b  includes sensor  445  that transmits a beacon signal when a door of the vehicle  440   b  opens. The beacon signal is configured to prompt user equipment within the vehicle  440   b  to transmit a response. The sensor  445  can receive the response from the mobile device  116  and forward the response to the IVI system  411  indicating that that the mobile device  116  has been detected within the vehicle  440   b.    
     The IVI system  411  can initiate transmission of an entrance notification to a carrier network  420  server notifying that the mobile device  116  entered the vehicle  440   b . For example, upon the determination that the mobile device  116  is inside the vehicle  440   b , the WI system  411  generates and transmits a control signal to the mobile device  116 . The control signal instructs the mobile device  116  to transmit the entrance notification to the carrier network  420  server. The control signal can be a near field communication (NFC) signal or a BLUETOOTH signal, such as a BLUETOOTH Low Energy signal. The control signal can include GPS coordinates of the IVI system  411 . 
     The IVI system  411  receives an assignment message from the carrier network  420  server indicating that twinning has been configured between the mobile device  116  and the WI system  411 . As no service plan of user is registered to the IVI system  411 , twinning with the WI system  411  includes an infotainment provisioning of the data and content packages of the service plan associated with the mobile device  116  that entered the vehicle  440   b . That is, the user interface of the head unit of the vehicle  440   b  can be used to natively interact with the primary phone number, voice, data and content packages of the service plan associated with the mobile device  116 . As an example, the head unit display of the IVI system  411  shows a menu  450  of infotainment applications representing infotainment applications implemented by the IVI head unit  411  having native control and playback for data and content associated with the primary SIM of the mobile device  116 . As a technical advantage, the twinning with portable infotainment provisioned to the IVI system  411  preserves the mobile device power system and prevents mobile device  116  from being used as a display content source for the head unit display of the IVI system  411 . 
     The IVI system  411  determines when the mobile device  116  of the user exits the vehicle  440   b . For example, the sensor  445  that transmits a beacon signal when a door of the vehicle  440   b  opens or when a vehicle window rolls down. In another example, one or multiple sensors  445  detect the presence status of the mobile device  116  inside the vehicle  440   b . In another example, the mobile device  116  maintains or periodically checks its presence status inside the vehicle  440   b  through short-distance communication pairing signals with the IVI system  411 , such as Bluetooth, NFC, Bluetooth LE beacon, etc. When the mobile device  116  exits the vehicle  440   b  and moves away, the pairing signals are attenuated or lost, which is determined by both the IVI system  411  and the mobile device  116 . In another example, the sensor  445  determines the presence status of the mobile device  116  inside the vehicle  440   b  by tracking the GPS location of the mobile device  116  and the GPS location of the IVI system  411 , calculating the distance of separation, and determining whether the GPS locations are substantially the same (less than a threshold distance apart). 
     The IVI system  411  can initiate transmission of an exit notification to the carrier network  420  server notifying that the mobile device  116  exited the vehicle  440   b . For example, upon the determination that the mobile device  116  is not inside the vehicle  440   b , the IVI system  411  generates and transmits the exit notification to the carrier network  420  server. The exit notification instructs the carrier network  420  server to disconnect the twinning between the WI system  411  and the mobile device  116 . The exit notification can be an uplink cellular signal, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). The exit notification can include GPS coordinates of the IVI system  411 . Alternatively, the mobile device  116  can also initiate the transmission of an exit notification. 
     After the carrier network  420  server disconnects the twinning between IVI system  411  and the mobile device  116 , the IVI system  411  receives a twinning disconnection notification from the carrier network  420  server notifying that the disconnection is complete. In response receiving the twinning disconnection notification, the IVI system  411  can securely lock the personal data of the user in the cache or memory of the IVI system  411 . In certain embodiments, such as when the vehicle  440   b  is a rental car or company-vehicle, the IVI system  411  is configured to discard all personal data of the user from the cache or memory of the IVI system  411 . 
     The carrier network  420  includes at least one carrier server. The carrier network  420  uses carrier servers to implement the process of triggering dynamic twinning and provisioning an infotainment service over-the-air to an IVI system. In response to receiving an entrance notification from the mobile device or from the IVI system  411 , the carrier network  420  locates the IVI system  411 . For example, the entrance notification can include the GPS location of the mobile device  116  and the GPS location of the IVI system  411 . The carrier network  420  determines to twin the buddy SIM of the IVI system  411  with the primary SIM of the mobile device  116  when the GPS locations are substantially the same (less than a threshold distance apart). The carrier network  420  can select to not twin the buddy SIM with the primary SIM based on a determination that the GPS locations are a threshold distance apart or farther. 
     The carrier network  420  server includes a table or database that includes a list of primary SIM cards belonging to various users who subscribe to a service plan from the carrier. For each primary SIM card listed, the table or database also includes a corresponding list of the service plans associated with that primary SIM card. For each service plan listed, the table or database includes a specification whether each service plan includes a voice package, a data package, a content package, or a combination of packages. 
     Upon the determination to twin the buddy SIM with the primary SIM of the mobile device  116 , the carrier network  420  temporarily assigns or registers the buddy SIM of the IVI system  411  to correspond to the service plan associated with the primary SIM card within the mobile device  116 . For example, in the database the carrier network  420  replaces the identifier of the primary SIM card with the buddy SIM identifier, thereby transferring the service plan from the mobile device  116  to the IVI system  411 . Also, the temporary transfer of the service plan causes the carrier network  420  to perform a provisioning of the service plan to the IVI system  411 . 
     When the temporary transfer of the service plan is complete, the carrier network  420  generates and transmits an assignment message to the mobile device  116  and to the WI system  411 . The assignment message is configured to indicate that twinning with infotainment provisioning has been configured. 
     Upon the determination that the twinning between the buddy SIM and the primary SIM is disconnected, the carrier network  420  cancels the temporary transfer of the service plan. That is, the carrier network  420  replaces the identifier of the buddy SIM card with the identifier of the primary SIM. 
     When the temporary transfer of the service plan is completely disconnected, the carrier network  420  generates and transmits a twinning disconnection notification to the mobile device  116  and to the IVI system  411 . The twinning disconnection notification is configured to indicate that twinning with infotainment provisioning has ceased. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged view of the display of the menu  450  of infotainment applications of  FIG. 4 . The embodiment of the menu  450  shown in  FIG. 5  is for illustration only. Other embodiments could be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Various media and content channels are examples of infotainment applications. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a process of triggering dynamic twinning and provisioning an infotainment service over-the-air to an IVI system according to this disclosure. While the flow chart depicts a series of sequential steps or signals, unless explicitly stated, no inference should be drawn from that sequence regarding specific order of performance, performance of steps or portions thereof serially rather than concurrently or in an overlapping manner, or performance of the steps depicted exclusively without the occurrence of intervening or intermediate steps. The process  600  is described as being implemented by the infotainment network  400 . 
     In block  602 , the mobile device  116  is detected inside a vehicle  440   b . For example, the mobile device  116  can detect that the mobile device  116  is inside the vehicle  440   b . In certain embodiments, the sensor  445  detects that the mobile device  116  is inside the vehicle  440   b . Alternatively or simultaneously, the IVI system  411  can also detect the entrance of the mobile device  116  into inside a vehicle, such as vehicle  440   b.    
     An entrance notification message  604  is transmitted from the mobile device  116  to the carrier network  420  through the OTA link  430 . The entrance notification message  604  is configured to inform the carrier network  420  that the mobile device  116  has entered the vehicle  440   b  and a twinning operation is desired. Alternatively or simultaneously, the entrance notification message  604  can also be transmitted from the IVI system  411 . 
     Alternatively, the smartphone  116  and the IVI system  411  can exchange pairing signals through short-distance communications, such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy beacons, NFC, or the like. A common secret can be generated between the smartphone  116  and the IVI system  411 . This common secret can be included in the entrance notifications  604  from both the smartphone  116  and the IVI system  411 . The common secret will be later used by the carrier network  420 . 
     Alternatively, the IVI system  411  can broadcast its buddy SIM identification through short-distance communication channels to the smartphone  116 , so that the smartphone  116  can include the buddy SIM identification information in the entrance notification message  604 . 
     In block  606 , the carrier network  420  associates the buddy SIM within the WI  411  in the vehicle  440   b  and the primary SIM within the mobile device  116 . For example, the carrier network  420  can use the common secret as the unique key to determine the pair. In another example, the carrier network  420  can find the pair if the entrance notification  604  already includes the information. In another example, the carrier network uses the GPS location of the mobile device  116  and the GPS location of the IVI system  411  within the entrance notification message  604  to associate these two SIMs, namely, the primary SIM and buddy SIM. Alternatively, the GPS location of each SIM can be obtained by the carrier network  420 . 
     In block  608 , the carrier network  420  configures a twinning between the buddy SIM within the IVI system  411  and the primary SIM within the mobile device  116 . Furthermore, the carrier network  420  temporarily transfers the service plan associated with the primary SIM to the buddy SIM while the mobile device  116  is disposed within the vehicle  440   b . Once the service plan transfer completes, the primary SIM within the mobile device  116  is not provisioned with the service plan. The carrier network  420  can select to transfer either the whole service plan or certain parts of the service plan. For example, if the service plan associated with the primary SIM includes a combination of three packages, such as data, content, and phone packages, then the carrier network  420  can select to transfer only one, only two, or all three of the three packages. 
     The carrier network  420  transmits an assignment message  610   a  to the IVI  411  and an assignment message  610   b  to the mobile device  116 . The assignment message  610   a  is transmitted from the carrier network  420  to the IVI system  411  through the OTA link  436 . The assignment message  610   a  is transmitted from the carrier network  420  to the mobile device  116  through the OTA link  430 . In response to receiving the assignment messages  610   a  and  610   b  the IVI system  411  and the mobile device  116  operate in a twinning mode, shown by the mode arrow  612 . 
     During the twinning mode  612 , any phone, data, or content packages normally registered to the primary SIM are temporarily provisioned to the buddy SIM. That is, during twinning mode, the user interface of the head unit and the head unit display of the IVI system  411  are used to interact with the phone number, voice, data, or content packages of the service plan associated with (for example, normally provisioned to) the primary SIM of the mobile device  116 . 
     In block  614 , the mobile device  116  limits the functionality of the mobile device  116 . For example, in response to receiving the assignment message  610   b , the mobile device  116  disables the user input interface. That is, a user driving the vehicle  440   b  cannot interact with the mobile device  116  while the device  116  is in twinning mode. 
     When the mobile device  116  is removed from the vehicle, such as when the user leaves the vehicle with the mobile device  116  in their possession, one or both the mobile device and sensor detect that the mobile device  116  is outside the vehicle  440   b . For example, in block  616   a , the sensor  445  detects that the mobile device  116  is outside the vehicle  440   b . In block  616   b , the mobile device  116  detects that the mobile device  116  is outside the vehicle  440   b . In block  616   b , the mobile device  116  can transmit a notification through any short-distance communication channel (such as NFC, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE beacon, etc.), or through the carrier network  420  to the IVI system  411  informing that the mobile device is exiting  116  or has exited the vehicle  440   b.    
     Thereafter, an exit notification message  618  that is transmitted from the WI system  411  to the carrier network  420  through the OTA link  436 . That is, twinning will be disconnected once the vehicle  440   b  and the mobile device  116  detect that the user is stepping out of the vehicle  440   b . Alternatively, the exit notification message can also be transmitted from the mobile device  116 . 
     In block  620 , the carrier network  420  disconnects the twinning between the buddy SIM within the IVI system  411  and the primary SIM within the mobile device  116 . Furthermore, the carrier network cancels the temporary transfer of the service plan. The carrier network  420  modifies the tables or databases within the carrier network server to re-assign the service plan to the primary SIM within the mobile device  116 . 
     The carrier network  420  transmits a twinning disconnection notification  622   a  that to the IVI system  411  through the OTA link  436 . The carrier network  420  also transmits a twinning disconnection notification  622   b  to the mobile device  116  through the OTA link  430 . The twinning disconnection notifications  622   a  and  622   b  notify IVI  411  and the mobile device  116  respectively that the disconnection of the twinning is complete. The twinning disconnection notification  622   b  can include a provisioning of the service plan to the primary SIM. 
     In the block  624 , the mobile device  116  enters the normal operation mode. For example, in response to receiving the twinning disconnection notification  622   b , the mobile device  116  re-enables the functionality of the user input interface. Also, the mobile device  116  uses the phone, data, and content packages of the service plan through the OTA link  430 . 
     In the block  626 , in response to receiving the twinning disconnection notification  622   a , the IVI system  411  locks or discards the personal information of the user of the mobile device  116  in the cache of the IVI system  411 . In certain embodiments, the IVI system can select to either securely lock or completely delete personal information from the cache. 
     Although various features have been shown in the figures and described above, various changes may be made to the figures. For example, the size, shape, arrangement, and layout of components shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  are for illustration only. Each component could have any suitable size, shape, and dimensions, and multiple components could have any suitable arrangement and layout. Also, various components in  FIGS. 1 through 5  could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs. Further, each component in a device or system could be implemented using any suitable structure(s) for performing the described function(s). In addition, while  FIG. 5 ,  6  illustrate various series of steps and signals, various steps in  FIG. 6  could overlap, occur in parallel, occur multiple times, or occur in a different order. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.