Methods and apparatus for automated communications forwarding

• US 9,332,129 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2014
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Li, Li, Juang, Ben, Mathias, Arun
• Primary Examiner(s): Brandt, Christopher M
• Assistant Examiner(s): COSME, NATASHA W
• Application Number:
  US14/323,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20150004955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 455/558, 455/435.2, 455/417
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/543 Call deflection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for the automated updating of forwarding preferences for communications in a telecommunications network. In one embodiment, the network includes a wireless (e.g., cellular) network with user mobile user devices configured to detect a change to their configuration (such as a user changing out SIM cards or virtual access clients). In response, the device causes an update to its associated communication forwarding preferences to reflect the change. If the configuration alteration meets certain criteria (e.g., changes the phone number at which the device may be reached), the device sends a forwarding message instructing a network entity (e.g., routing server) to direct communications addressed to the old phone number to the new phone number. Thus, a user with two or more user profiles (such as two different carrier accounts) may be reached at any number associated with any of the profiles, even if only one profile is currently active.

Claims

1. A mobile device configured to communicate with wireless networks, the mobile device comprising:

a processor;

an electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) configured to manage and store a first electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) and a second eSIM that is distinct from the first eSIM; and

a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out steps that include;

receiving a request to transition from using the first eSIM to using the second eSIM, wherein the first eSIM is associated with a first phone number and the second eSIM is associated with a second phone number, and

in response to the request;

deactivating the first eSIM, and

sending to a forwarding server, subsequent to the deactivating, a message based on forwarding rules managed by the mobile device, wherein the message is configured to cause the forwarding server to forward communications addressed to the first phone number to the second phone number, and wherein the forwarding rules include a list of sources from which the communications addressed to the first phone number are to be forwarded to the second phone number.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the steps further include:

activating the second eSIM.

3. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the forwarding rules require the second eSIM to be activated before the message is sent to the forwarding server.

4. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the steps further include:

sending to the forwarding server, subsequent to the activating, a second message configured to cause the forwarding server to forward the communications addressed to the first phone number to the second phone number.

5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein communications addressed to the first phone number that originate from sources not included on the list of sources are not forwarded to the second phone number.

6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the sending to the forwarding server is via a short message service (SMS) message.

7. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the message is further configured to cause, based on the forwarding rules, the forwarding server to forward a first communication from a selected source to the second phone number, and wherein the first phone number is an inactive phone number.

8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the forwarding rules are based on a user subscription level.

9. A method, comprising:

at a mobile device that includes an electronic Universal Subscriber Identity Module (eUICC) configured to store at least a first electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) associated with a first phone number and a second eSIM associated with a second phone number;

receiving a request to transition from using the first eSIM to using the second eSIM, wherein the first eSIM is activated and the second eSIM is deactivated; and

in response to the request;

deactivating the first eSIM, and

sending to a forwarding server, subsequent to the deactivating, a message based on forwarding rules managed by the mobile device, wherein the message is configured to cause the forwarding server to forward communications addressed to the first phone number to the second phone number, and wherein the forwarding rules include a list of sources from which the communications addressed to the first phone number are to be forwarded to the second phone number.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

activating the second eSIM.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the forwarding rules require the second eSIM to be activated before the message is sent to the forwarding server.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein communications addressed to the first phone number that originate from sources not included on the list of sources are not forwarded to the second phone number.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

sending to the forwarding server, subsequent to the activating, a second message configured to cause the forwarding server to forward the communications addressed to the first phone number to the second phone number.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the sending to the forwarding server is via a short message service (SMS) message.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the sending to the forwarding server is via an internet protocol (IP) message.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the message is further configured to cause, based on the forwarding rules, the forwarding server to forward a first communication from a selected source to the second phone number, and wherein the first phone number is an inactive phone number.

17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a mobile device, cause the mobile device to carry out steps that include:

receiving a request to transition from using a first electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) to using a second eSIM, wherein;

the first eSIM is associated with a first phone number and the second eSIM is associated with a second phone number, and

each of the first eSIM and the second eSIM is stored in an electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) included in the mobile device; and

in response to the request;

referencing forwarding rules managed by the mobile device to identify whether a forwarding request should be sent to a forwarding server; and

in response to identifying that the forwarding request should be sent;

deactivating the first eSIM,

sending to a forwarding server, subsequent to the deactivating, a message configured to cause the forwarding server to forward communications addressed to the first phone number to the second phone number, and wherein the forwarding rules include a list of sources from which the communications addressed to the first phone number are to be forwarded to the second phone number.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the steps further include:

activating the second eSIM.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the steps further include:

sending to the forwarding server, subsequent to the activating, a second message configured to cause the forwarding server to forward the communications addressed to the first phone number to the second phone number.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the message is further configured to cause, based on the forwarding rules, the forwarding server to forward a first communication from a selected source to the second phone number, and wherein the first phone number is an inactive phone number.