Virtual SIM monitoring mode for mobile handsets

• US 8,676,180 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2009
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Srinivasan, Prasanna
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US12/511,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20110028135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,693 Days
• Field of Search: 455/415, 455/558, 455/422.1
• US Class Current: 455/415
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/651 Text message transmission triggered by call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

A system and methods that inform users of calls placed to a mobile device via a currently disabled VSIM subscription include identifying the VSIM subscription that is currently enabled on the mobile device and sending an alert to the mobile device via the currently enabled VSIM subscription informing the user of the received call attempt. In an embodiment, the user may switch the enabled VSIM subscription in order to receive the incoming call. If the user switches enabled VSIM subscriptions to the subscription corresponding to the dialed number, the caller'"'"'s service provider network may be informed so that a communication can then be established between the caller and the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method for alerting a user of call attempts to a mobile device via a currently disabled service provider subscription, comprising:

receiving data from a service provider network regarding an attempted call to the mobile device, the received data including a unique identifier associated with the currently disabled VSIM subscription;

retrieving from a database a VSIM account associated with the mobile device using the unique identifier;

determining a status of VSIM subscriptions enabled on the mobile device from the retrieved VSIM account;

identifying a currently enabled VSIM subscription from the retrieved VSIM account;

identifying a unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription; and

transmitting an alert to the mobile device using the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription, the alert indicating receipt of a call attempt to the mobile device on the currently disabled VSIM subscription.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the currently disabled VSIM subscription is in monitor mode,

wherein identifying the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription and transmitting the alert are performed when the currently disabled VSIM subscription is determined to be in monitor mode.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the mobile device that the enabled VSIM subscription has been switched; and

informing the service provider network that the mobile device is available.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the mobile device indicating that the enabled VSIM subscription will not be switched; and

informing the service provider network that the mobile device is not available.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a status report of a VSIM subscription enabled on the mobile device from the mobile device, the status report identifying disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitoring mode; and

updating the retrieved VSIM account based on the received status report.

6. A method for attempting a call to a mobile device having a plurality of VSIM subscriptions, comprising:

receiving a call request including a unique identifier associated with at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

attempting to establish a communication link with the called mobile device using the unique identifier;

determining whether the communication link is successfully established;

transmitting data to a remote server including the unique identifier if the communication link is not successfully established;

receiving a response from the remote server indicating whether the at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions associated with the unique identifier is in monitor mode; and

relaying an indication to a caller'"'"'s communication device that a call attempt alert was sent to the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the call request is received from a caller'"'"'s communication network.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the call request is received from the caller'"'"'s communication device.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving a response from the remote server indicating that the mobile device is available; and

re-attempting to establish a communication link with the mobile device using the unique identifier.

10. A method of receiving an alert on a mobile device configured to enable one of a plurality of VSIM subscriptions, comprising:

enabling one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

determining which currently disabled VSIM subscriptions should be in placed into a monitor mode; and

transmitting to a remote server a status report of a currently enabled VSIM subscription and disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitoring mode;

receiving the alert indicating that a call attempt to the mobile device via a disabled VSIM subscription was received; and

processing information contained in the alert

determining whether to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt;

enabling the VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt; and

informing the remote server that the VSIM subscription corresponding to the call attempt has been enabled.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said determining which currently disabled subscription should be placed into the monitor mode comprises receiving a user'"'"'s selection of which currently disabled VSIM subscriptions should be placed into the monitor mode.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying the processed information contained in the alert to a user.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said determining whether to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding the call attempt comprises receiving an input from a user to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

transmitting a request to a communication network supporting a currently enabled VSIM subscription to disable the currently enabled VSIM subscription, wherein the request includes a request to disable a voice mail feature associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of transmitting a request to the communication network supporting a currently enabled VSIM subscription to disable the currently enabled VSIM subscription is performed prior to enabling the VSIM subscription corresponding to the call attempt.

16. A method for placing a call to a mobile device configured to enable one of a plurality of VSIM subscriptions, comprising:

receiving a call request including a unique identifier associated with at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

attempting to establish a communication link with the called mobile device using the unique identifier;

determining whether the communication link is successfully established;

transmitting data to a remote server including the unique identifier if the communication link is not successfully established;

receiving in the remote server the transmitted data from a service provider network;

retrieving from a database a VSIM account associated with the mobile device using the unique identifier;

determining a status of VSIM subscriptions enabled on the mobile device from the retrieved VSIM account;

identifying a currently enabled VSIM subscription from the retrieved VSIM account;

identifying a unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription; and

transmitting an alert to the mobile device using the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription, the alert indicating receipt of a call attempt to the mobile device using the unique identifier associated with the currently disabled VSIM subscription.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the call request is received from a caller'"'"'s communication network.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the call request is received from a caller'"'"'s communication device.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining whether the currently disabled VSIM subscription is in monitor mode,

wherein identifying the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription and transmitting the alert are performed when the currently disabled VSIM subscription is determined to be in monitor mode.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the mobile device that the enabled VSIM subscription has been switched; and

informing the service provider network that the mobile device is available.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving an indication from the mobile device indicating that the enabled VSIM subscription will not be switched; and

informing the service provider network that the mobile device is not available.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a status report of a VSIM subscription enabled on the mobile device from the mobile device, the status report identifying disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitoring mode; and

updating the retrieved VSIM account based on in the received status report.

23. A remote server, comprising:

means for receiving data from a service provider network regarding an attempted call to the mobile device, the received data including a unique identifier associated with the currently disabled VSIM subscription;

means for retrieving from a database a VSIM account associated with the mobile device using the unique identifier;

means for determining a status of VSIM subscriptions enabled on the mobile device from the retrieved VSIM account;

means for identifying a currently enabled VSIM subscription from the retrieved VSIM account;

means for identifying a unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription; and

means for transmitting an alert to the mobile device using the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription, the alert indicating receipt of a call attempt to the mobile device on the currently disabled VSIM subscription.

24. The remote server of claim 23, further comprising:

means for determining whether the currently disabled VSIM subscription is in monitor mode,

wherein means for identifying the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription and means for transmitting the alert identify the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription and transmit the alert when the currently disabled VSIM subscription is determined to be in monitor mode.

25. The remote server of claim 23, further comprising:

means for receiving an indication from the mobile device that the enabled VSIM subscription has been switched; and

means for informing the service provider network that the mobile device is available.

26. The remote server of claim 23, further comprising:

means for receiving an indication from the mobile device indicating that the enabled VSIM subscription will not be switched; and

means for informing the service provider network that the mobile device is not available.

27. The remote server of claim 25, further comprising:

means for receiving a status report of a VSIM subscription enabled on the mobile device from the mobile device, the status report identifying disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitoring mode; and

means for updating the retrieved VSIM account based on the received status report.

28. A communication network, comprising:

means for receiving a call request including a unique identifier associated with at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

means for attempting to establish a communication link with the called mobile device using the unique identifier;

means for determining whether the communication link is successfully established; and

means for transmitting data to a remote server including the unique identifier if the communication link is not successfully established;

means for receiving a response from the remote server indicating whether the at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions associated with the unique identifier is in monitor mode; and

means for relaying an indication to a caller'"'"'s communication device that a call attempt alert was sent to the mobile device.

29. The communication network of claim 28, wherein the means for receiving the call request receives the call request from a caller'"'"'s communication network.

30. The communication network of claim 28, wherein the means for receiving the call request receives the call request from the caller'"'"'s communication device.

31. The communication network of claim 28, further comprising:

means for receiving a response from the remote server indicating that the mobile device is available; and

means for re-attempting to establish a communication link with the mobile device using the unique identifier.

32. A mobile device configured to enable one of a plurality of VSIM subscriptions, comprising:

means for enabling one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

means for determining which currently disabled VSIM subscriptions should be in placed into a monitor mode;

means for transmitting to a remote server a status report of a currently enabled VSIM subscription and disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitoring mode;

means for receiving an alert indicating that a call attempt to the mobile device via a disabled VSIM subscription was received; and

means for processing information contained in the alert;

means for determining whether to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt;

means for enabling the VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt; and

means for informing the remote server that the VSIM subscription corresponding to the call attempt has been enabled.

33. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein said means for determining which currently disabled subscription should be placed into the monitor mode further comprises means for receiving a user'"'"'s selection of which currently disabled VSIM subscriptions should be placed into the monitor mode.

34. The mobile device of claim 32, further comprising displaying the processed information contained in the alert to a user.

35. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein said means for determining whether to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding the call attempt further comprises means for receiving an input from a user to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt.

36. The mobile device of claim 32, further comprising:

means for transmitting a request to a communication network supporting a currently enabled VSIM subscription to disable the currently enabled VSIM subscription, wherein the request includes a request to disable a voice mail feature associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription.

37. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the means for transmitting a request to the communication network supporting a currently enabled VSIM subscription to disable the currently enabled VSIM subscription transmits the request prior to enabling the VSIM subscription corresponding to the call attempt.

38. A communication system, comprising:

means for receiving a call request to a mobile device configured to enable one of a plurality of VSIM subscriptions from a communication device including a unique identifier associated with at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

means for attempting to establish a communication link with the called mobile device using the unique identifier;

means for determining whether the communication link is successfully established;

means for transmitting data to a remote server including the unique identifier if the communication link is not successfully established;

means for receiving in the remote server the transmitted data from a service provider network;

means for retrieving from a database a VSIM account associated with the mobile device using the unique identifier;

means for determining a status of VSIM subscriptions enabled on the mobile device from the retrieved VSIM account;

means for identifying a currently enabled VSIM subscription from the retrieved VSIM account;

means for identifying a unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription; and

means for transmitting an alert to the mobile device using the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription, the alert indicating receipt of a call attempt to the mobile device using the unique identifier associated with the currently disabled VSIM subscription.

39. The communication system of claim 38, wherein the means for receiving the call request receives the call request from a caller'"'"'s communication network.

40. The communication system of claim 38, wherein the means for receiving the call request receives the call request from a caller'"'"'s communication device.

41. The communication system of claim 38, further comprising:

means for determining whether the currently disabled VSIM subscription is in monitor mode,

wherein the means for identifying the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription and means for transmitting the alert identify the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription and transmit the alert when the currently disabled VSIM subscription is determined to be in monitor mode.

42. The communication system of claim 38 further comprising:

means for receiving an indication from the mobile device that the enabled VSIM subscription has been switched; and

means for informing the communication device that the mobile device is available.

43. The communication system of claim 38 further comprising:

means for receiving an indication from the mobile device indicating that the enabled VSIM subscription will not be switched; and

means for informing the communication device that the mobile device is not available.

44. The communication system of claim 42, further comprising:

means for receiving a status report of a VSIM subscription enabled on the mobile device from the mobile device, the status report identifying disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitoring mode; and

means for updating the retrieved VSIM account based on in the received status report.

45. A remote server, comprising:

a remote server memory unit;

a remote server processing unit coupled to the remote server memory unit, wherein the remote server processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving data from a service provider network regarding an attempted call to the mobile device, the received data including a unique identifier associated with the currently disabled VSIM subscription;

retrieving from a database a VSIM account associated with the mobile device using the unique identifier;

determining a status of VSIM subscriptions enabled on the mobile device from the retrieved VSIM account;

identifying a currently enabled VSIM subscription from the retrieved VSIM account;

identifying a unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription; and

transmitting an alert to the mobile device using the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription, the alert indicating receipt of a call attempt to the mobile device on the currently disabled VSIM subscription.

46. The remote server of claim 45, wherein the remote server processing unit is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining whether the currently disabled VSIM subscription is in monitor mode,

wherein identifying the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription and transmitting the alert are performed when the currently disabled VSIM subscription is determined to be in monitor mode.

47. The remote server of claim 45, wherein the remote server processing unit is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving an indication from the mobile device that the enabled VSIM subscription has been switched; and

informing the service provider network that the mobile device is available.

48. The remote server of claim 45, wherein the remote server processing unit is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving an indication from the mobile device indicating that the enabled VSIM subscription will not be switched; and

informing the service provider network that the mobile device is not available.

49. The remote server of claim 47, wherein the remote server processing unit is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving a status report of a VSIM subscription enabled on the mobile device from the mobile device, the status report identifying disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitoring mode; and

updating the retrieved VSIM account based on the received status report.

50. A communication network, comprising:

a call routing server memory unit;

a call routing server processing unit coupled to the call routing server memory unit, wherein the call routing server processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a call request including a unique identifier associated with at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

attempting to establish a communication link with the called mobile device using the unique identifier;

determining whether the communication link is successfully established;

transmitting data to a remote server including the unique identifier if the communication link is not successfully established;

receiving a response from the remote server indicating whether the at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions associated with the unique identifier is in monitor mode; and

relaying an indication to the communication device that a call attempt alert was sent to the mobile device.

51. The communication network of claim 50, wherein the call routing server processing unit is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving the call request from a caller'"'"'s communication network.

52. The communication network of claim 50, wherein the call routing server processing unit is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving the call request from the caller'"'"'s communication device.

53. The communication network of claim 50, wherein the call routing server processing unit is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

receiving a response from the remote server indicating that the mobile device is available; and

re-attempting to establish a communication link with the mobile device using the unique identifier.

54. A mobile device comprising:

a mobile device processor; and

a mobile device internal memory unit coupled to the mobile device processor, the mobile device internal memory unit including a VSIM provisioning data buffer and having stored thereon provisioning data for a plurality of VSIM subscriptions within a VSIM memory unit; and

wherein the mobile device processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

enabling one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

determining which currently disabled VSIM subscriptions should be placed in monitor mode;

transmitting to a remote server a status report of a currently enabled VSIM subscription and disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be placed in monitor mode;

receiving an alert indicating that a call attempt to the mobile device via a disabled VSIM subscription was received;

processing information contained in the alert;

determining whether to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt;

enabling the VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt; and

informing the remote server that the VSIM subscription corresponding to the call attempt has been enabled.

55. The mobile device of claim 54, wherein the mobile device processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising receiving a user'"'"'s selection of which currently disabled VSIM subscriptions should be placed into the monitor mode such that determining which currently disabled subscription should be placed into the monitor mode is based upon the received user'"'"'s selection.

56. The mobile device of claim 54, wherein the mobile device processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising:

displaying the processed information contained in the alert to a user.

57. The mobile device of claim 54, wherein the mobile device processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising:

receiving an input from a user to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt such that determining whether to change the enabled VSIM subscription is based upon the received input from the user.

58. The mobile device of claim 54, wherein the mobile device processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising:

transmitting a request to a communication network supporting a currently enabled VSIM subscription to disable the currently enabled VSIM subscription, wherein the request includes a request to disable a voice mail feature associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription.

59. The mobile device of claim 58, wherein the mobile device processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising:

transmitting a request to the communication network supporting a currently enabled VSIM subscription to disable the currently enabled VSIM subscription prior to enabling the VSIM subscription corresponding to the call attempt.

60. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving data from a service provider network regarding an attempted call to the mobile device, the received data including a unique identifier associated with the currently disabled VSIM subscription;

retrieving from a database a VSIM account associated with the mobile device using the unique identifier;

determining a status of VSIM subscriptions enabled on the mobile device from the retrieved VSIM account;

identifying a currently enabled VSIM subscription from the retrieved VSIM account;

identifying a unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription; and

transmitting an alert to the mobile device using the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription, the alert indicating receipt of a call attempt to the mobile device on the currently disabled VSIM subscription.

61. The tangible storage medium of claim 60, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining whether the currently disabled VSIM subscription is in monitor mode,

wherein identifying the unique identifier associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription and transmitting the alert are performed when the currently disabled VSIM subscription is determined to be in monitor mode.

62. The tangible storage medium of claim 60, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving an indication from the mobile device that the enabled VSIM subscription has been switched; and

informing the service provider network that the mobile device is available.

63. The tangible storage medium of claim 60, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving an indication from the mobile device indicating that the enabled VSIM subscription will not be switched; and

informing the service provider network that the mobile device is not available.

64. The tangible storage medium of claim 62, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving a status report of a VSIM subscription enabled on the mobile device from the mobile device, the status report identifying disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitoring mode; and

updating the retrieved VSIM account based on the received status report.

65. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a call request including a unique identifier associated with at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

attempting to establish a communication link with the called mobile device using the unique identifier;

determining whether the communication link is successfully established;

transmitting data to a remote server including the unique identifier if the communication link is not successfully established;

receiving a response from the remote server indicating whether the at least one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions associated with the unique identifier is in monitor mode; and

relaying an indication to the communication device that a call attempt alert was sent to the mobile device.

66. The tangible storage medium of claim 65, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving the call request from a caller'"'"'s communication network.

67. The tangible storage medium of claim 65, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving the call request from a caller'"'"'s communication device.

68. The tangible storage medium of claim 65, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving a response from the remote server indicating that the mobile device is available; and

re-attempting to establish a communication link with the mobile device using the unique identifier.

69. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

enabling one of the plurality of VSIM subscriptions;

determining which currently disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitor mode;

transmitting to a remote server a status report of a currently enabled VSIM subscription and disabled VSIM subscriptions that should be in monitor mode;

receiving the alert indicating that a call attempt to the mobile device via a disabled VSIM subscription was received; and

processing information contained in the alert determining whether to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt;

enabling the VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt; and

informing the remote server that the VSIM subscription corresponding to the call attempt has been enabled.

70. The tangible storage medium of claim 69, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving a user'"'"'s selection of which currently disabled VSIM subscriptions should be placed into the monitor mode such that determining which currently disabled subscription should be placed into the monitor mode is based upon the received user'"'"'s selection.

71. The tangible storage medium of claim 69, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

displaying the processed information contained in the alert to a user.

72. The tangible storage medium of claim 69, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving an input from the user to change the enabled VSIM subscription to that corresponding to the call attempt such that determining whether to change the enabled VSIM subscription is based upon the received input from the user.

73. The tangible storage medium of claim 69, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

transmitting a request to a communication network supporting a currently enabled VSIM subscription to disable the currently enabled VSIM subscription, wherein the request includes a request to disable a voice mail feature associated with the currently enabled VSIM subscription.

74. The tangible storage medium of claim 73, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

transmitting a request to the communication network supporting a currently enabled VSIM subscription to disable the currently enabled VSIM subscription prior to enabling the VSIM subscription corresponding to the call attempt.