Managing mobile device identities

Abstract

A method of managing identities for use in a mobile telecommunications device in a telecommunications network is described. First of all, an identity management process is triggered. After this, one or more parameters associated with the mobile telecommunications device is detected. The identity management process than has the following features. An identity management rule determined by the one or more parameters is detected. An identity database is then searched. Each record of the identity database comprises an identity and additional identity information for each identity, wherein the searching prioritises records according to the identity management rule. An identity is then selected when a record conforming to the identity management rule is found in said searching. The active identity of the mobile telecommunications device is then changed to be the selected identity when the active identity is not already the selected identity. A subscriber identity module adapted for use with this method is described.

1 . A method of managing identities for use in a mobile telecommunications device in a telecommunications network, the method comprising:
 triggering an identity management process;   detecting one or more parameters associated with the mobile telecommunications device;   in the identity management process, selecting an identity management rule determined by the one or more parameters detected;   in the identity management process, searching an identity database wherein each record comprises an identity and additional identity information for each identity, wherein the searching prioritises records according to the identity management rule;   in the identity management process, selecting an identity when a record conforming to the identity management rule is found in said searching; and   in the identity management process, modifying an active identity of the mobile telecommunications device to be the selected identity when the active identity is not already the selected identity.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each said identity comprises an IMSI. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters comprise a handset type. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the handset type is determined from the TAC code in the IMEI of the handset. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters comprise a subscription type associated with the device, wherein the subscription type relates to one or more of a device operating system and a communication type. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the additional information comprises an MCC and an MNC for each identity. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the identity management rule allows for selection of an identity based on matching of some or all of an MCC or an MNC value. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein if there is no match established by the identity management rule to a specific identity, a new identity is selected from a pool of matching identities. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a process of modifying the active identity is determined according to the one or more parameters of the device. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein if on modifying the active identity no service is provided to the new active identity, the active identity is modified to a backup identity different from the identity for which no service was provided. 
     
     
         11 . A subscriber identity module for use in a mobile telecommunications device and having a plurality of identities for use in a mobile telecommunications network, the subscriber identity module comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory comprises an identity management process for execution by the processor and an identity database, wherein the processor is adapted to:
 on triggering, initiate the identity management process;   detect one or more parameters associated with the mobile telecommunications device;   in the identity management process, selecting an identity management rule determined by the one or more parameters detected;   in the identity management process, search an identity database wherein each record comprises an identity and additional identity information for each identity, wherein the searching prioritises records according to the identity management rule;   in the identity management process, select an identity when a record conforming to the identity management rule is found in said searching; and   in the identity management process, modify an active identity of the mobile telecommunications device to be the selected identity when the active identity is not already the selected identity.   
     
     
         12 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of identities are IMSIs. 
     
     
         13 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more parameters comprise a handset type. 
     
     
         14 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the handset type is determined from the TAC code in the IMEI of the handset. 
     
     
         15 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more parameters comprise a subscription type associated with the device, wherein the subscription type relates to one or more of a device operating system and a communication type. 
     
     
         16 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the additional information comprises an MCC and an MNC for each identity. 
     
     
         17 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the identity management rule allows for selection of an identity based on matching of some or all of an MCC or an MNC value. 
     
     
         18 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein if there is no match established by the identity management rule to a specific identity, a new identity is selected from a pool of matching identities. 
     
     
         19 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a process of modifying the active identity is determined according to the one or more parameters of the device. 
     
     
         20 . A subscriber identity module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein if on modifying the active identity no service is provided to the new active identity, the active identity is modified to a backup identity different from the identity for which no service was provided.