Subscription activation for mobile wireless devices
By retaining the eSIM in the sales order of the mobile wireless device and activating it interactively after the user receives the device, the problem of eSIM activation of mobile wireless devices is solved and a flexible device activation process is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411524789.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-06-15
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-24
AI Technical Summary
The prior art has difficulty in configuring and activating the electronic user identity module (eSIM) for newly purchased mobile wireless devices, especially when the user receives the device.
By retaining one or more ESIMs in the sales order, and after the user receives the mobile wireless device, it interacts with the MNO server through the device manufacturer server to authorize and confirm the activation of ESIM to achieve the delayed activation of ESIM.
It solves the problem of eSIM activation of mobile wireless devices after users receive them, and improves the flexibility and efficiency of device activation. Users can choose eSIM or physical SIM for activation as needed.
Smart Images

Figure CN119364336A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202110622123.9, application date June 4, 2021, and invention name “Subscription Activation for Mobile Wireless Devices”. Technical Field
[0002] The embodiments set forth techniques for configuring and activating an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) for a newly purchased mobile wireless device via an online or retail sales channel. One or more eSIMs are reserved for the mobile wireless device as part of the sales order and are activated later when device activation of the mobile wireless device occurs after receipt by the user. Background Art
[0003] Many mobile wireless devices are configured to use a removable universal integrated circuit card (UICC) that enables the mobile wireless device to access services provided by a mobile network operator (MNO). Specifically, each UICC includes at least a microprocessor and a read-only memory (ROM), wherein the ROM is configured to store an MNO profile, which the wireless device can use to register and interact with the MNO to obtain wireless services through a cellular wireless network. The profile may also be referred to as a subscriber identity module (SIM). Typically, the UICC takes the form of a small removable card (often referred to as a SIM card) that is inserted into the UICC receiving area of the mobile wireless device. In recent implementations, the UICC is directly embedded into the system board of the wireless device as an embedded UICC (eUICC), which may provide advantages over traditional removable UICCs. The eUICC includes a rewritable memory that may facilitate the installation, modification and / or deletion of one or more electronic SIMs (eSIMs) on the eUICC, wherein the eSIM may provide new and / or different services and / or updates for accessing extended features provided by the MNO. The eUICC may store multiple MNO profiles (also referred to herein as eSIMs) and may eliminate the need to include a UICC reception area in the wireless device.
[0004] When initially acquired by an end user via a sales channel, a mobile wireless device may include a SIM card associated with a particular MNO, but may not be ordered with an MNO-only eSIM. Additionally, a mobile wireless device purchased as SIM-free may require the user to obtain and insert an active SIM card in order to activate the mobile wireless device for cellular wireless service. A method is needed to provide for the purchase of a mobile wireless device with one or more eSIMs that are reserved for the mobile wireless device and subsequently activated as part of a device activation process performed on the mobile wireless device after acquisition by a user. Summary of the invention
[0005] This patent application describes a technology for configuring and activating an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) for a newly purchased mobile wireless device via an online or retail sales channel. One or more eSIMs are reserved for the mobile wireless device as part of a sales order and are later activated when device activation of the mobile wireless device occurs after receipt by a user. During the purchase of the mobile wireless device, the user may select an option for eSIM installation to replace (or supplement) physical SIM installation to access the services of a specific mobile network operator (MNO). The reserved eSIM can be used to replace a previously used SIM / eSIM for an existing customer of the MNO, such as when upgrading a mobile wireless device to a new model, or can be a new eSIM for a new mobile wireless device added to an existing customer account or a new customer account. The phone number associated with the eSIM can be newly assigned or transferred from a previous subscription. In order to authenticate based on the eSIM of the mobile wireless device to enable subscription to cellular wireless services, user authentication occurs as part of the device activation process of the mobile wireless device. A set of device manufacturer servers can interact with the mobile wireless device and the MNO server to cause the eSIM of the mobile wireless device to be activated. As part of the sales order process, the device manufacturer server receives a message from the MNO server indicating that the eSIM is reserved for configuration to the mobile wireless device, the message including an identifier of the mobile wireless device and the reserved eSIM. The message also includes an indication of whether activation of the eSIM is delayed until device activation of the mobile wireless device. During the device activation process of the mobile wireless device, after the user receives the mobile wireless device, the activation of the eSIM is authorized and confirmed through communication between the mobile wireless device and both the device manufacturer server and the MNO server. Activation of the eSIM may occur before or after deactivation of a previous eSIM for which the subscription service is transferred to the mobile wireless device. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device takes into account the propagation delay of the activation process through the MNO server by disabling and re-enabling the eSIM until the initial attachment to the MNO's cellular wireless network is successful.
[0006] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the principles of the described embodiments.
[0007] The present disclosure is provided only for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-mentioned features are only examples and should not be construed as reducing the scope or essence of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent through the following detailed description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present disclosure will be more easily understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like structural elements.
[0009] Figure 1 A block diagram showing different components of an example system configured to implement the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments.
[0010] Figure 2 According to some embodiments, Figure 1 A block diagram of a more detailed view of exemplary components of a system.
[0011] Figure 3 An exemplary sales order page is shown that includes an option for selecting an eSIM subscription for a mobile wireless device according to some embodiments.
[0012] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C An exemplary sequence of actions performed to configure and activate an eSIM for a mobile wireless device according to some embodiments is shown.
[0013] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C Additional exemplary sequences of actions performed for configuring and activating an eSIM for a mobile wireless device are shown in accordance with some embodiments.
[0014] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C An exemplary sequence of actions performed for installing and activating an eSIM on a mobile wireless device prior to deactivating an associated corresponding SIM or eSIM for a second mobile wireless device is shown in accordance with some embodiments.
[0015] Fig.6D An exemplary monitoring mode state machine for initially activating an eSIM for a mobile wireless device is shown according to some embodiments.
[0016] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B An exemplary sequence of actions performed for installing and activating an eSIM to a mobile wireless device after deactivating an associated corresponding SIM or eSIM for a second mobile wireless device is shown in accordance with some embodiments.
[0017] Figure 8 A set of exemplary display screens are shown for activating an eSIM on a device during device activation of a mobile wireless device according to some embodiments.
[0018] Fig. 9A flowchart of an exemplary method performed by one or more network-based servers to configure and activate an eSIM for a mobile wireless device according to some embodiments is shown.
[0019] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B A flow chart of an exemplary method performed by a mobile wireless device to configure and activate an eSIM to the mobile wireless device according to some embodiments is shown.
[0020] Fig.11 A block diagram of exemplary elements of a mobile wireless device according to some embodiments is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Representative applications of the methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are provided only to add context and aid in understanding the described embodiments. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other cases, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments, well-known processing steps are not described in detail. Other applications are possible, so that the following examples should not be considered restrictive.
[0022] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, it is to be understood that these examples are not limiting; other embodiments may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments.
[0023] This patent application describes a technology for configuring and activating an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) for a newly purchased mobile wireless device via an online sales channel or via a retail sales channel. One or more eSIMs are reserved for the mobile wireless device as part of a sales order and are activated later when device activation of the mobile wireless device occurs after the mobile wireless device is received by the user. During the purchase of the mobile wireless device, the user may select an eSIM installation to replace (or supplement) a physical SIM installation to access cellular wireless services of a specific mobile network operator (MNO). The eSIM option may be a sub-option of a specific MNO selected by the user during the sales order process. The reserved eSIM may be used to replace a previously used SIM / eSIM for an existing customer of the MNO, such as when upgrading a mobile wireless device to a new model. In this case, the phone number of the previous mobile wireless device may be transferred to the new mobile wireless device, and the cellular wireless subscription associated with the phone number may be transferred from the SIM / eSIM of the previous mobile wireless device to the eSIM of the new mobile wireless device. Alternatively, the eSIM may be a new eSIM for installation on a new mobile wireless device added to an existing customer account, such as when adding a mobile wireless device with a newly assigned phone number (or transferring a phone number from a different customer account to an existing customer account). The eSIM may also be a new eSIM for a new mobile wireless device for a new customer account, for which subscription information may be obtained as part of a sales order process. In order to authenticate based on the eSIM of the mobile wireless device to enable subscription to cellular wireless services, user authentication occurs as part of a device activation process for the mobile wireless device.
[0024] A set of device manufacturer servers interact with a mobile wireless device and an MNO server to cause an eSIM of the mobile wireless device to be activated. As part of a sales order process, a device manufacturer operator service server receives a message from an MNO infrastructure server indicating that an eSIM is reserved for a particular mobile wireless device, the message including an identifier of the mobile wireless device and the reserved eSIM. The message also includes an indication of whether activation of the eSIM is delayed until device activation of the mobile wireless device (e.g., for a mobile wireless device that is later shipped to a customer or obtained from a retail store) or whether activation of the eSIM occurs substantially immediately (e.g., when the mobile wireless device is purchased and activated at a retail store). During the device activation process of the mobile wireless device, after a user receives the mobile wireless device, activation of the eSIM is authorized and confirmed by communications between the mobile wireless device and both the device manufacturer server and the MNO server. When a cellular wireless subscription is transferred from a previous mobile wireless device to the mobile wireless device, activation of the eSIM may occur before or after deactivation of the previous SIM / eSIM. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device takes into account the propagation delay of the eSIM service activation process through multiple MNO servers, such as by monitoring whether the eSIM has been activated by the cellular wireless network based on a successful (or failed) attachment to the cellular wireless network of the MNO associated with the eSIM. The mobile wireless device may enter a monitoring mode and disable and then re-enable the eSIM as needed until the initial attachment to the cellular wireless network of the MNO is successful or a maximum number of retry attempts to attach to the cellular wireless network is reached.
[0025] Reference below Figures 1 to 11 However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these drawings is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.
[0026] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of various components of a system 100 configured to implement the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. More specifically, Figure 1 A brief overview of a system 100 is shown, which includes a mobile wireless device 102 (also referred to as a wireless device, wireless device, mobile device, user equipment (UE)), etc., a set of base stations 112-1 to 112-N managed by different mobile network operators (MNOs) 114, and a set of configuration servers 116 in communication with the MNOs 114. Additional MNO infrastructure servers such as those used for account management and billing are not shown. The mobile wireless device 102 may represent a mobile computing device (e.g., of or ), base stations 112-1 to 112-N may represent cellular wireless network entities configured to communicate with mobile wireless device 102, including evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs or eNBs) and / or next generation NodeBs (gNodeBs or gNBs), and MNO 114 may represent different wireless service providers that provide specific cellular wireless services (e.g., voice and data) to which mobile wireless device 102 may subscribe, such as via a subscription account of a user of mobile wireless device 102.
[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the mobile wireless device 102 may include processing circuitry (which may include one or more processors 104 and memory 106), an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) 108, and baseband radio circuitry 110 for transmitting and receiving cellular wireless radio frequency signals. The baseband radio circuitry 110 may include analog hardware components, such as antennas and amplifiers, and digital processing components, such as signal processors (and / or general / limited purpose processors) and associated memory. In some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the eUICC 108, the mobile wireless device 102 includes one or more physical UICCs 118 (also referred to as subscriber identity modules (SIM) cards). The components of the mobile wireless device 102 work together to enable the mobile wireless device 102 to provide useful features to a user of the mobile wireless device 102, such as cellular wireless network access, non-cellular wireless network access, localized computing, location-based services, and Internet connectivity. The eUICC 108 may be configured to store multiple electronic SIMs (eSIMs) for accessing cellular wireless services provided by different MNOs 114 via connections to their respective cellular wireless networks through the base stations 112-1 to 112-N. For example, the eUICC 108 may be configured to store and manage one or more eSIMs of one or more MNOs 114 for different subscriptions associated with the mobile wireless device 102. To enable access to services provided by the MNOs, the eSIMs are retained for subsequent download and installation to the eUICC 108. In some embodiments, the eUICC 108 obtains the one or more eSIMs from one or more associated provisioning servers 116 as part of device initialization of the mobile wireless device 102 (such as when a new mobile wireless device 102 is purchased). The provisioning servers 116 may be maintained by the manufacturer of the mobile wireless device 102, the MNO 114, a third-party entity, etc. eSIM data communications between the MNO provisioning server 116 and the eUICC 108 (or between the MNO provisioning server 116 and processing circuitry of the mobile wireless device 102 external to the eUICC 108, such as the processor 104) may use a secure communication channel.
[0028] The mobile wireless device 102 may lack an activated eSIM when acquired by the user and require the user to download a functional eSIM for the MNO 114 from the corresponding MNO provisioning server 116. As part of the sales order process, the user of the mobile wireless device 102 may select an eSIM for the mobile wireless device 102 (instead of and / or in addition to a physical SIM). A network-based server managed by the MNO 114 associated with the eSIM may communicate with additional network-based servers managed by device manufacturers and / or third-party entities to integrate the device activation process for the mobile wireless device 102 with the provisioning and activation of one or more eSIMs to the mobile wireless device 102. When the eSIM is activated, the mobile wireless device 102 may connect to the cellular wireless network of the MNO 114 to access services provided thereby.
[0029] Figure 2 According to some embodiments, Figure 1 A block diagram of a more detailed view 200 of certain components of the mobile wireless device 102 is shown. Figure 2 As shown, the processor 104 in conjunction with the memory 106 may implement a main operating system (OS) 202 configured to execute application programs 204 (eg, native OS applications and user applications). Figure 2 As shown, the eUICC 108 may be configured to implement an eUICC OS 206 that is configured to manage the hardware resources of the eUICC 108 (e.g., a processor and memory embedded in the eUICC 108). The eUICC OS 206 may also be configured to manage the eSIM 208 stored by the eUICC 108, for example, by downloading, installing, deleting, enabling, disabling, modifying, or otherwise performing management of the eSIM 208 within the eUICC 108 and providing access to the eSIM 208 to the baseband radio circuit 110 to provide access to wireless services to the mobile wireless device 102. The eUICC 108 OS may include an eSIM manager 210 that may perform management functions for various eSIMs 208. Figure 2 As shown in the illustration, each eSIM 208 may include a plurality of applets 212 that define the manner in which the eSIM 208 operates. For example, one or more of the applets 212, when implemented in conjunction with the baseband radio circuitry 110 and the eUICC 108, may be configured to enable the mobile wireless device 102 to communicate with the MNO 114 and provide useful features (e.g., phone calls and Internet access) to a user of the mobile wireless device 102.
[0030] Likewise Figure 2As shown, the baseband radio circuit 110 of the mobile wireless device 102 may include a baseband OS 214 configured to manage the hardware resources (e.g., processor, memory, different radio components, etc.) of the baseband radio circuit 110. According to some embodiments, the baseband radio circuit 110 may implement a baseband manager 216 configured to interact with the eUICC 108 to establish a secure channel with the MNO provisioning server 116 and obtain information (such as eSIM data) from the MNO provisioning server 116 for managing the eSIM 208. The baseband manager 216 may be configured to implement services 218, which represent a collection of software modules that are instantiated by various applets 212 of enabled eSIMs 208 included in the eUICC 108. For example, the services 218 may be configured to manage different connections between the mobile wireless device 102 and the MNO 114 depending on the different eSIMs 208 enabled within the eUICC 108.
[0031] Figure 3 An illustration 300 of an exemplary sales order page including an option for selecting an eSIM subscription for a mobile wireless device 102 is shown. After a user has selected a particular MNO (wireless operator) to subscribe to for accessing cellular wireless service for the mobile wireless device 102, an eSIM option may be presented as well as an option for a physical SIM card (UICC). The user may purchase the mobile wireless device 102 online via a device manufacturer website, a third-party website, an MNO website, or the like. The user may also purchase the mobile wireless device 102 at a retail store (such as provided by the MNO, by the device manufacturer, or by a third party). If the user selects the eSIM option, the user may also choose to reuse an existing phone number for transfer to the mobile wireless device 102 being purchased via the eSIM 208, or to use a new phone number. The user may be asked if they are an existing or new customer of the MNO, and applicable user credential information may be obtained (to verify an existing customer or onboard a new customer) to authorize the purchase of the mobile wireless device 102 and / or transfer of a cellular wireless service subscription to the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., for use with the eSIM 208 option, if selected).
[0032] Figure 4AA diagram 400 of an exemplary sequence of actions performed to configure and activate an eSIM 208 for a mobile wireless device 102 is shown, particularly when reserving an eSIM 208 for the mobile wireless device 102 during a sales order process is substantially separate in time from installing and activating the eSIM 208 on the mobile wireless device 102 during a device activation process. At 402, a user may place a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102, for example, via an online store. At 404, the user may be presented with an option to select an eSIM 208 to be installed on an eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 and through which cellular wireless services may be accessed, e.g., in place of a physical SIM card (UICC 118) or in addition to a physical SIM card for cellular wireless service access. The eSIM option may be presented after the user has selected an MNO 114 through which to subscribe to cellular wireless services. If the eSIM option is not selected, then at 406, the mobile wireless device 102 may be configured to include a physical SIM card (UICC 118) and shipped to the user (or to another location for the user to visit), and the user may perform an activation procedure for the mobile wireless device 102 that does not necessarily include downloading, installing, and / or activating the eSIM 208 for the mobile wireless device. If the eSIM option is selected, then at 408, the user may indicate whether they are an existing customer of the MNO 114, e.g., have an active cellular wireless service subscription and / or account with the MNO 114. If the user is not an existing customer of the MNO 114, then at 410, the user may provide information for adding a new customer to the MNO 114, and a new phone number may be assigned for use with the eSIM 208, which will later be installed and activated on the mobile wireless device 102 for use by the user of the mobile wireless device 102 to access the cellular wireless services of the MNO 114. If the user is an existing customer of the MNO 114, then at 412, customer information may be obtained to verify that the user has an active wireless service subscription with an associated phone number to be transferred to the mobile wireless device 102 for use with the eSIM 208, and / or an existing customer account to which a new phone number to be added for use with the eSIM 208 on the mobile wireless device 102. At 414, an activation service message (e.g., a storage order application programming interface (API) message) may be sent by the MNO infrastructure server as a result of the customer sales order including the selected eSIM option, with an indication of a delayed tethering action, wherein the eSIM 208 is reserved for the mobile wireless device 102 and will later be downloaded to, installed on, and activated on the mobile wireless device 102. The storage order API message may be sent to a server of the device manufacturer MNO service that communicates with one or more MNOs 114 regarding service of the device manufacturer's mobile wireless device 102.At 416, an MNO infrastructure message (e.g., ES2+ download order message and confirmation message) may be sent by the MNO infrastructure server to the MNO configuration server 116, which may trigger the MNO configuration server 116 to send an ES12 registration event message to the server of the device manufacturer device service. The ES12 registration event message may indicate that the eSIM 208 is reserved for a particular mobile wireless device 102 that will be shipped to and / or picked up by the user, and that the eSIM 208 will be available for subsequent download, installation, and activation of the eUICC 108 for the mobile wireless device 102. At 418, the mobile wireless device 102 is shipped to the user (e.g., the customer who ordered the mobile wireless device 102) without including a physical SIM card (UICC 118). At 420 , the user of the mobile wireless device 102 performs a device activation process, a portion of which may include downloading and installing the retained eSIM 208 onto the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 and subsequent activation by one or more network-based servers of the MNO 114 to allow access to the cellular wireless services of the MNO 114 based on the credentials of the eSIM 208 included in the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 .
[0033] Figure 4B and Figure 4CDiagrams 430, 470 of exemplary actions performed by multiple entities to configure and activate an eSIM 208 for a mobile wireless device 102 in the event of delayed activation of the eSIM 208 are shown. At 440, the MNO infrastructure server 438 sends an ES2+ download order and confirmation message to the MNO configuration server 116 in response to receiving a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102, the sales order including an indication of the selection of an eSIM 208 for subsequent download, installation, and activation of the mobile wireless device 102. At 442, the MNO configuration server 116 sends an ES12 registration event message triggered by the ES2+ download order and confirmation message to the device manufacturer device service's server 434, wherein the ES12 registration event message includes an indication of the presence of an eSIM 208 (or multiple eSIMs 208) reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. The ES12 registration event message may include identifiers of the mobile wireless device 102 and the eSIM 208. Substantially commensurate with the download and registration event messages, at 444, the MNO infrastructure server 438 sends a parking order message to the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436, the parking order message indicating a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102 and including at least an identifier of the mobile wireless device 102 and one or more eSIMs 208 of the mobile wireless device 102. The parking order message may also include an indication that downloading, installing, and activating one or more eSIMs 208 for the mobile wireless device 102 will occur at a future time (e.g., a delayed tethering action indication). At 446, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 may forward the parking order message (or form and send a similar message) to the device manufacturer device service's server 434 to provide information about the sales order. At 448, the device manufacturer device service's server 434 may associate information extracted from the parking order message (received from the MNO infrastructure server 438 via the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 at 446) with information obtained from the ES12 registration event message (received from the MNO configuration server 116 at 442). The actions at 440 , 442 , 444 , 446 , and 448 may occur as a result of a sales ordering process for the mobile wireless device 102 , and may be separated in time from subsequent actions that occur as part of a device activation process for the mobile wireless device 102 .
[0034] At 450, the user (or sales assistant) may initiate a device activation process for the mobile wireless device 102, which may cause the mobile wireless device 102 to send a message to the server 434 of the device manufacturer device service to activate the cellular service of the mobile wireless device 102. At 452, the server 434 of the device manufacturer device service may redirect the mobile wireless device 102 to the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service. At 454, the mobile wireless device 102 may send a message to the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service to activate the cellular service of the mobile wireless device 102. At 456, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service may send a message to the MNO infrastructure server 438 to locate and confirm the previously indicated storage order for the mobile wireless device 102, and then receive a response from the MNO infrastructure server 438 confirming the order status of the storage order and information that may be used to authenticate the user of the mobile wireless device 102. At 458, the server of the device manufacturer MNO service sends a message to the mobile wireless device 102 to authenticate the user of the mobile wireless device 102. The message sent to the mobile wireless device 102 may also include information for installing the reserved eSIM for the mobile wireless device 102. At 460, the mobile wireless device 102 may present a credential challenge, for example, via a display of the mobile wireless device 102, requesting input to authenticate the user 432 of the mobile wireless device 102, and then at 462, the mobile wireless device 102 may receive a credential response, which may be forwarded to the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 to authenticate the user 432 of the mobile wireless device 102 to the MNO infrastructure server 438 at 466. At 466, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 obtains the authentication response, and at 468, forwards the authentication response from the device to the mobile wireless device 102. In the event that the authentication of the user 432 is successful, at 472, the mobile wireless device 102 may query the device manufacturer device service's server 434 for information about one or more pending eSIMs 208 that are reserved and available for download and installation on the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device 102 uses the Check Available Options message to obtain information about one or more pending eSIMs 208. When an identifier (e.g., an Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) value) of an eSIM 208 indicated in the information received by the mobile wireless device 102 at 472 from the server 434 of the device manufacturer's device services matches a corresponding identifier (e.g., an ICCID value) from the eSIM installation information received by the mobile wireless device 102 at 458 from the server 436 of the device manufacturer's MNO services, the mobile wireless device 102 may trigger downloading and installation of the identified eSIM 208 from the MNO configuration server 116 at 476.When the eSIM download and installation is successful, at 478, the mobile wireless device 102 notifies the device manufacturer device service's server 434 of the successful installation of the eSIM (profile) 208 at 480. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device 102 notifies the device manufacturer device service's server 434 of the successful eSIM installation using a check available options message. At 482, the device manufacturer device service's server 434 sends a message of the successful installation of the eSIM 208 to the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436, and at 484, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 sends a message (e.g., a completed hosting order message) to the MNO infrastructure server 438 indicating that the eSIM 208 was successfully installed on the mobile wireless device 102. At 486, one or more MNO infrastructure servers 438 may cause the cellular wireless service of the newly installed eSIM 208 to be activated for use with the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, such as when a previous phone number or corresponding cellular wireless service subscription is transferred from a previous mobile wireless device 102 to the mobile wireless device 102 due to a newly installed eSIM 208, the corresponding previous SIM card (UICC 118) or eSIM 208 of the previous mobile wireless device 102 may be deactivated at 488.
[0035] Figure 5AA diagram 500 of another exemplary sequence of actions performed to configure and activate an eSIM 208 for a mobile wireless device 102 is shown, particularly when reserving an eSIM 208 for a mobile wireless device 102 during a sales order process occurs approximately close in time to installing and activating the eSIM 208 on the mobile wireless device 102 during a device activation process. At 502, a user purchases a mobile wireless device 102 at a point-of-sale retail location (such as managed by a device manufacturer, MNO, or third party). At 504, the user selects an eSIM 208 to be installed on and through which to access cellular wireless services on an eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102, e.g., in place of or in addition to a physical SIM card (UICC 118) for cellular wireless service access. If the eSIM option is not selected, then at 506, the mobile wireless device 102 may be configured with a physical SIM card (UICC 118) and provided to the user, and the user may then perform an activation procedure for the mobile wireless device 102 that does not necessarily include downloading, installing, and / or activating the eSIM 208 for the mobile wireless device. If the eSIM option is selected, then at 508, the user may provide information regarding whether they are an existing customer of the MNO 114 (e.g., have an active cellular wireless service subscription and / or account with the MNO 114). If the user is not an existing customer of the MNO 114, then at 510, the user may provide information for adding a new customer to the MNO 114, and a new phone number may be assigned for use with the eSIM 208, which will be installed and activated on the mobile wireless device 102 for use by the user of the mobile wireless device 102 to access the cellular wireless services of the MNO 114. If the user is an existing customer of the MNO 114, then at 512, customer information may be obtained to verify that the user has an active wireless service subscription with an associated telephone number to be transferred to the mobile wireless device 102 for use with the eSIM 208, and / or an existing customer account to which a new telephone number is to be added for use with the eSIM 208 on the mobile wireless device 102. The information obtained at 510 / 512 may be used to authenticate the user of the mobile wireless device 102 to obtain the eSIM 208 for accessing cellular wireless services. The authentication information may be provided to an appropriate network-based server (e.g., managed by the device manufacturer and / or by the MNO 114) to cause the installation and activation process of the eSIM 208 to proceed. At 514, an activation service message (e.g., a tethering order application programming interface (API) message) may be sent by the MNO infrastructure server 438 as a result of a customer sales order that included the selected eSIM option, with an indication of an immediate (now) tethering action, wherein the eSIM 208 will be reserved for download, installation, and activation on the mobile wireless device 102.The hosting order API message may be sent to the device manufacturer MNO services server 436, which communicates with one or more MNOs 114 regarding services for the device manufacturer's mobile wireless devices 102. At 516, an MNO infrastructure message (e.g., ES2+download order message and confirmation message) may be sent by the MNO infrastructure server 438 to the MNO configuration server 116, which may trigger the MNO configuration server 116 to send an ES12 registration event message to the device manufacturer device services server 434. The ES12 registration event message may indicate that the eSIM 208 is reserved for a particular mobile wireless device 102 and that the eSIM 208 will be available for downloading, installing, and activating the eUICC 108 for the mobile wireless device 102. At 518, the user of the mobile wireless device 102 performs a device activation process, part of which may include downloading and installing the retained eSIM 208 onto the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 and subsequent activation by one or more network-based servers of the MNO 114 to allow access to the cellular wireless services of the MNO 114 based on the credentials of the eSIM 208 included in the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. Authentication of the user need not occur at 518, as authentication credentials of the user may occur as part of an earlier sales subscription process.
[0036] Figure 5B and Figure 5CDiagrams 530, 560 of exemplary actions performed by multiple entities to configure and activate an eSIM 208 for a mobile wireless device 102 in the case of immediate activation of the eSIM 208 are shown. At 540, the MNO infrastructure server 438 sends an ES2+ download order and confirmation message to the MNO configuration server 116 in response to receiving a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102, the sales order including an indication of the selection of an eSIM 208 for subsequent download, installation, and activation of the mobile wireless device 102. At 542, the MNO configuration server 116 sends an ES12 registration event message triggered by the ES2+ download order and confirmation message to the device manufacturer device service's server 434, wherein the ES12 registration event message includes an indication of the presence of an eSIM 208 (or multiple eSIMs 208) reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. The ES12 registration event message may include identifiers of the mobile wireless device 102 and the eSIM 208. Substantially commensurate with the download and registration event messages, at 544, the MNO infrastructure server 438 sends a parking order message to the device manufacturer MNO services' server 436, the parking order message indicating a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102 and including at least an identifier of the mobile wireless device 102 and one or more eSIMs 208 of the mobile wireless device 102. The parking order message may also include an indication that downloading, installing, and activating one or more eSIMs 208 for the mobile wireless device 102 will occur substantially commensurate with the purchase of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., an immediate tethering action indication). At 446, the device manufacturer MNO services' server 436 may forward the parking order message (or form and send a similar message) to the device manufacturer device services' server 434 to provide information about the sales order. At 448, the device manufacturer device services server 434 may associate the information extracted from the deposit order message (received from the MNO infrastructure server 438 via the device manufacturer MNO services server 436 at 446) with the information obtained from the ES12 registration event message (received from the MNO configuration server 116 at 442).
[0037] At 550, the user (or sales assistant) may initiate a device activation process for the mobile wireless device 102, which may cause the mobile wireless device 102 to send a message to the server 434 of the device manufacturer device service to activate the cellular service of the mobile wireless device 102. At 552, the server 434 of the device manufacturer device service may redirect the mobile wireless device 102 to the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service. At 554, the mobile wireless device 102 may send a message to the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service to activate the cellular service of the mobile wireless device 102. At 556, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service may send a message to the MNO infrastructure server 438 to locate and confirm the previously indicated storage order for the mobile wireless device 102, and then receive a response from the MNO infrastructure server 438 confirming the order status of the storage order. At 558, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service may provide the mobile wireless device 102 with the eSIM installation information of the reserved eSIM 208. At 562, the mobile wireless device 102 may query the server 434 of the device manufacturer device services for information about one or more pending eSIMs 208 available for download and installation on the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device 102 uses a Check Available Options message to obtain information about the one or more pending eSIMs 208. When an identifier (e.g., an Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) value) of the eSIM 208 indicated in the information received by the mobile wireless device 102 at 564 from the server 434 of the device manufacturer device services at 562 matches a corresponding identifier (e.g., an ICCID value) from the eSIM installation information received by the mobile wireless device 102 at 558 from the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO services, the mobile wireless device 102 may trigger the download and installation of the identified eSIM 208 from the MNO provisioning server 116 at 566. When the eSIM download and installation is successful, at 568, the mobile wireless device 102 notifies the device manufacturer device service's server 434 of the successful installation of the eSIM (profile) 208 at 570. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device 102 uses a check available options message to notify the device manufacturer device service's server 434 of the successful eSIM installation. At 572, the device manufacturer device service's server 434 sends a message of the successful installation of the eSIM 208 to the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436, and at 574, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 sends a message to the MNO infrastructure server 438 indicating that the eSIM was successfully installed on the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., a completed hosting order message).At 576, the one or more MNO infrastructure servers 438 may cause the services of the newly installed eSIM 208 to be activated for the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, such as when a previous phone number or corresponding service subscription is transferred from a previous mobile wireless device 102 to the mobile wireless device 102 due to the newly installed eSIM 208, the corresponding previous SIM card (UICC 118) or eSIM 208 of the previous mobile wireless device 102 may be deactivated at 578.
[0038] exist Figure 4A 414 of them, Figure 4B 444 / 446 of Figure 5A 514 of them, or Figure 5B The storage order message sent at 544 / 546 in the storage order message may include a value in a parameter field that provides information about a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102 and / or the eSIM 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. The storage order message may include an eUICC identifier (EID) value of the eUICC 108 of the associated mobile wireless device 102 in which the one or more reserved eSIMs 208 may be installed. The storage order message may also include a tethering action value that indicates whether the eSIM download and installation occurs at a future time separate from the sales order process (e.g., delayed tethering action) or substantially commensurate with the sales order process (e.g., immediate (now) tethering action). The storage order message may also include an ICCID value of the eSIM 208 that will be subsequently downloaded and installed on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. The storage order message may also include an indication (e.g., a Boolean value) that the sales order for the mobile wireless device 102 specifies one or more eSIMs 208 that will be subsequently downloaded and installed. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless service from the previous mobile wireless device 102 and the associated user subscription account may be transferred to the mobile wireless device 102, and the parking order message may include information about the transfer, such as i) the ICCID value of the source SIM / eSIM for which the cellular wireless service to the mobile wireless device 102 is to be transferred, and / or ii) the telephone number to be transferred. In some embodiments, the parking order message includes an existing telephone number or a new telephone number (or multiples) associated with the eSIM 208 to be installed on the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, the parking order message includes information about the MNO associated with the eSIM 208 to be installed, such as a public land mobile network (PLMN) value and / or a group identifier (GID) value, e.g., GID1, GID2.
[0039] exist Figure 4B 458 of them or in Figure 5BThe eSIM installation information sent to the mobile wireless device 102 at 558 in the example may include values in parameter fields that provide information about the SIM 208 reserved for installation on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. The eSIM installation information may include an existing telephone number or a new telephone number (or multiples thereof) associated with the eSIM 208 to be installed on the mobile wireless device 102. The eSIM installation information may include an EID value of the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 and an ICCID value of the new eSIM 208 to be installed. When transferring wireless cellular service from a previous mobile wireless device 102, the eSIM installation information may also include an ICCID value of the previous SIM / eSIM to which the cellular wireless service will be transferred to the mobile wireless device 102. The eSIM installation information may also include information of the MNO 114 associated with the eSIM 208 to be installed on the mobile wireless device 102, such as PLMN, GID1, and / or GID2 values.
[0040] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6CDiagrams 600, 630, 650 of an exemplary sequence of actions performed to install and activate an eSIM 208 on a mobile wireless device 102 prior to deactivating an associated corresponding SIM or eSIM 208 for a second mobile wireless device 102 are shown. At 602, the MNO infrastructure server 438 receives a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102, which may occur online or at a point-of-sale retail store, wherein the sales order includes an indication that the eSIM 208 should be installed and activated on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 604, the MNO infrastructure server 438 sends an ES2+ download order and confirmation message to the MNO provisioning server 116 in response to receiving the sales order for the mobile wireless device 102, the sales order including an indication of the selection of the eSIM 208 for subsequent download, installation, and activation of the mobile wireless device 102. At 606, the MNO configuration server 116 provides a response including i) the ICCID value of the eSIM 208 to be installed on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102, and ii) an indication that the previous SIM / eSIM 208 has not been deactivated. At 608, the MNO configuration server 116 sends an ES12 registration event message triggered by the ES2+ download order and confirmation message to the server 434 of the device manufacturer device services, wherein the ES12 registration event message includes an indication that there is an eSIM 208 (or multiple eSIMs 208) reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. The ES12 registration event message may include identifiers of the mobile wireless device 102 and the eSIM 208. At 610, the MNO infrastructure server 438 sends a parking order message to the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO services, the parking order message including information about a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102 and one or more eSIMs 208 reserved for installation on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. Exemplary information in the hosting order message includes a hardware identifier of the mobile wireless device 102, such as an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI), a hardware identifier of the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., an eUICC ID (EID) value), and a unique serial number (SN#) of the mobile wireless device 102. The hosting order message may also include an indication that downloading, installing, and activating one or more eSIMs 208 for the mobile wireless device 102 will occur at a future time (e.g., a delayed tethering action indication). The hosting order message may also include an indication of whether to reserve an eSIM 208 for the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., a Boolean value), an identifier of the eSIM 208 (e.g., an ICCID value).When transferring the cellular service of the previous SIM / eSIM 208 to the mobile wireless device 102, the storage order message may also include the previous SIM / eSIM identifier value (e.g., source ICCID value), the phone number for transfer, and the identifier of the MNO 114 associated with the SIM / eSIM 208 (e.g., PLMN, GID1 and / or GID2 values). At 612, the device manufacturer MNO service server 436 sends a response message to the MNO infrastructure server, the response message including a status in response to the received storage order message. The actions at 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, and 612 may occur as part of a sales subscription process for purchasing the mobile wireless device 102 with the reservation of the eSIM 208, wherein in some embodiments, the sales subscription process may occur substantially separately in time from a subsequent device activation process of downloading, installing, and activating the eSIM 208 on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., as part of a device activation process). In some embodiments, the sales order process and the device activation process (including the download, installation, and activation of the eSIM 208) may occur substantially within the same time frame, for example, as part of an in-person device purchase and device activation process at a retail store.
[0041] At 614, the mobile wireless device 102 may send a message to the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 to activate the cellular service of the mobile wireless device 102. The message may occur as part of a device activation process for the mobile wireless device 102 initiated by the user (or a sales assistant). At 616, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 may send a find storage order message to the MNO infrastructure server 438 to locate and confirm the storage order previously indicated by the mobile wireless device 102. The find storage order message may include information for locating the storage order, such as a hardware identifier (e.g., IMEI, EID, SN#) of the mobile wireless device 102, and a reference indicator of the MNO 114 (operator). At 618, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 may then receive a response from the MNO infrastructure server 438 confirming the order status of the storage order associated with the MNO 114 (operator) and information that may be used to authenticate the user of the mobile wireless device 102. At 620, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service may send an initiate activation message to the mobile wireless device 102, wherein the initiate activation message may include hardware identifiers and software identifiers (e.g., EID value, ICCID value, source ICCID value, phone number, PLMN, GID value) associated with the hosting order, and a credential challenge for authenticating the user of the mobile wireless device 102 to install the eSIM 208 to the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 622, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service receives a credential response for authenticating the user to perform the installation of the eSIM 208 for the mobile wireless device 102. At 624, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 sends an authentication user message to the MNO infrastructure server 438 to authenticate the user of the mobile wireless device 102, the authentication user message including an identifier of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., IMEI, EID, SN# value), and an identifier of the eSIM 208 to be installed on the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., ICCID value, operator reference, and authentication information obtained from the mobile wireless device 102). At 626, the MNO infrastructure server 438 provides an authentication response indicating the authentication status of the user of the mobile wireless device 102. Upon successful user authentication, at 628, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 sends an activation ticket to the mobile wireless device 102 to initiate installation and activation of the eSIM 208 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 630, the mobile wireless device 102 obtains the address (e.g., universal resource locator (URL) or equivalent) of the MNO provisioning server 116 from which the eSIM 208 is to be obtained.At 632, the mobile wireless device 102 downloads one or more eSIMs 208 previously reserved for the mobile wireless device 102 from the MNO configuration server 116 to the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 634, the mobile wireless device 102 provides a confirmation receipt indicating successful installation of the eSIM 208 on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 636, the MNO configuration server 116 sends an ES12 deletion event message (the deleted event corresponds to the event previously registered at 608). At 638, the mobile wireless device 102 sends a message to the server of the device manufacturer MNO service to check the available options of the installed eSIM 208, wherein the message includes one or more identifiers of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., IMEI, EID, etc.) and / or one or more identifiers of the eSIM 208 (e.g., ICCID value). At 640, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 determines whether the ICCID value of the eSIM 208 received from the mobile wireless device 102 at 638 matches the corresponding ICCID value of the reserved eSIM 208 received in the storage order message at 610. At 642, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 sends a completed storage order message to the MNO infrastructure server 438. The completed storage order message includes an identifier of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., IMEI, EID, SN# value), and an identifier of the eSIM 208 (e.g., ICCID value and operator reference). The completed storage order message may trigger the MNO infrastructure server 438 to transfer the cellular wireless subscription service from the previous SIM / eSIM 208 of the second mobile wireless device 102. The activation of the new eSIM 208 and the deactivation of the previous SIM / eSIM 208 may take multiple seconds or minutes to propagate through all the MNO infrastructure servers 438 involved. Prior to completion of the eSIM activation, at 652, the mobile wireless device 102 may attempt to attach to the access portion of the MNO cellular wireless network 602 using the credentials from the installed eSIM 208. Since the new eSIM activation may not have been completed when the mobile wireless device 102 attempts to attach, the MNO cellular wireless network 602 may reject the attachment with a failure message. In response to receiving the attachment failure message from the MNO cellular wireless network 602, the mobile wireless device 102 may enter a monitoring mode and attempt to reattach to the MNO cellular wireless network 602 after a backoff time. In some embodiments, the eSIM 208 may be disabled and re-enabled to begin another attachment attempt to the MNO cellular wireless network 602. In some embodiments, the wireless circuit 110 (e.g., baseband component) may be reset as part of the monitoring mode.At 644, the MNO infrastructure server 438 completes activation of the new eSIM 208 and deactivation of the previous SIM / eSIM 208, thereby propagating the activation through the applicable entities of the MNO cellular wireless network 602. After the eSIM 208 activation is complete, the MNO infrastructure server 438 provides a response to the device manufacturer MNO service server 436 to indicate that the cellular wireless service subscription to the eSIM 208 has been successfully completed. At 648, the mobile wireless device is successfully attached to the MNO cellular wireless network 602, and in some embodiments, an over-the-air (OTA) update is performed for the newly installed eSIM 208.
[0042] Fig.6D A diagram 660 of an exemplary monitoring mode state machine for initially activating an eSIM 208 for a mobile wireless device 102 is shown. At 662, the eSIM 208 is installed and activated for the first time on the mobile wireless device 102. At 664, the mobile wireless device 102 starts the monitoring mode state machine and configures one or more timers. At 666, the mobile wireless device 102 monitors the registration status of the mobile wireless device 102 to determine whether the mobile wireless device 102 has successfully attached to the MNO cellular wireless network 602 associated with the newly installed eSIM 208. Activating the eSIM 208 in all applicable servers of the infrastructure network of the MNO 114 may take some time to complete, and thus, it is not guaranteed that attachment to the access portion of the MNO cellular wireless network 602 will be immediately successful after the installation of the eSIM 208 is completed at the mobile wireless device 102. At 666, the mobile wireless device 102 may attempt to attach to the access portion of the MNO cellular wireless network 602. The successful attachment to the MNO cellular wireless network 602 indicated at 682 causes the mobile wireless device 102 to exit the monitoring mode with an attachment success indication at 694. The attachment failure at 666 causes the mobile wireless device 102 to remain in the monitoring mode and upon expiration of the timer at 672, the mobile wireless device 102 disables the eSIM (profile) 208 at 674, waits for the disabling of the eSIM (profile) 208 to complete at 676, then re-enables the eSIM (profile) 208 at 768, and then waits for the enabling of the eSIM (profile) 208 at 680 before again re-attempting to attach the mobile wireless device 102 to the MNO cellular wireless network 602 at 666. When the mobile wireless device 102 has re-attempted to attach to the MNO cellular wireless network multiple times, and the maximum number of retry attempts is reached at 668, the mobile wireless device 102 exits the monitoring mode with a failure indication. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device 102 provides an indication of attachment success and / or attachment failure, such as via a display of the mobile wireless device 102 .
[0043] Fig.6D The monitoring mode state machine shown may compensate for the propagation delay between when the eSIM 208 completes installation on the mobile wireless device 102 and when the MNO cellular wireless network 602 completes activation of the newly installed eSIM 208 (and, if applicable, deactivation of the previous eSIM 208). Figure 6C At 642 in FIG. 644 , the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service indicates to the MNO infrastructure server 438 that the eSIM installation is complete (and therefore the mobile wireless device 102 may assume that the eSIM 208 is ready for use); however, the propagation of the eSIM installation completion throughout the MNO cellular wireless network 602 may take anywhere from tens of seconds to up to several minutes, depending on network loading. An attempt by the mobile wireless device 102 to attach to the access portion of the MNO cellular wireless network 602 before the propagation of the eSIM activation is complete may result in a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling message indicating a significant rejection reason. Due to the specifications for NAS signaling published by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the mobile wireless device 102 may not be allowed to reattach to the MNO cellular wireless network 602 using the same credentials from the eSIM 208 unless the mobile wireless device 102 is rebooted (or in the case of a physical SIM card, after the SIM card is removed and reinserted into the mobile wireless device 102). However, a reboot of the mobile wireless device 102 cannot occur in the middle of the device activation process as described herein. Similar to SIM reinsertion, the mobile wireless device 102 may disable and then re-enable the eSIM 208, repeating as needed via a back-off timer to delay each attempt until a successful attachment occurs or a maximum number of retries is reached.
[0044] Fig. 7A and Figure 7BDiagrams 700, 720 of an exemplary sequence of actions performed to install and activate an eSIM 208 to a mobile wireless device 102 after deactivating an associated corresponding SIM or eSIM 208 for a second mobile wireless device 102 are shown. At 702, the MNO infrastructure server 438 receives a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102, which may occur online or at a point-of-sale retail store, wherein the sales order includes an indication that the eSIM 208 should be installed and activated on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 704, the MNO infrastructure server 438 sends an ES2+ download order message to the MNO provisioning server 116 in response to receiving the sales order for the mobile wireless device 102, the sales order including an indication of the selection of the eSIM 208 for subsequent download, installation, and activation of the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, the download order includes the EID of the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device on which the eSIM 208 is to be loaded. At 706, the MNO infrastructure server 438 sends a storage order message to the device manufacturer MNO services server 436, the storage order message including information about a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102 and one or more eSIMs 208 reserved for installation on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. Exemplary information in the storage order message includes a hardware identifier of the mobile wireless device 102, such as an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI), a hardware identifier (e.g., EID) of the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102, and a unique serial number (SN) of the mobile wireless device 102. The storage order message may also include an indication that downloading, installing, and activating the one or more eSIMs 208 for the mobile wireless device 102 will occur at a future time (e.g., a delayed tethering action indication). The storage order message may also include an indication (e.g., a Boolean value) of whether the eSIM 208 is reserved for the mobile wireless device 102, an identifier (e.g., an ICCID value) of the eSIM 208. When transferring the cellular service of the previous SIM / eSIM 208 to the mobile wireless device 102, the hosting order message may also include the previous SIM / eSIM identifier value (e.g., source ICCID value), the phone number for transfer, and the identifier of the MNO 114 associated with the SIM / eSIM 208 (e.g., PLMN, GID1 and / or GID2 values). At 708, the device manufacturer MNO services server 436 sends a response message to the MNO infrastructure server, the response message including a status in response to the received hosting order message.The actions at 702, 704, 706, and 708 may occur as part of a sales subscription process to purchase the mobile wireless device 102 with the reservation of the eSIM 208, wherein in some embodiments, the sales subscription process may occur substantially separately in time from a subsequent device activation process to download, install, and activate the eSIM 208 on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., as part of the device activation process). In some embodiments, the sales subscription process and the device activation process (including the download, installation, and activation of the eSIM 208) may occur substantially within the same time frame, for example, as part of an in-person device purchase and device activation process at a retail store.
[0045] At 710, the mobile wireless device 102 may send a message to the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 to activate the cellular service of the mobile wireless device 102. The message may occur as part of a device activation process for the mobile wireless device 102 initiated by a user (or a sales assistant). At 712, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 may send a find storage order message to the MNO infrastructure server 438 to locate and confirm the storage order previously indicated for the wireless device 102. The find storage order message may include information for locating the storage order, such as a hardware identifier (e.g., IMEI, EID, SN#) of the mobile wireless device 102, and a reference indicator of the MNO 114 (operator). At 714, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 may then receive a response from the MNO infrastructure server 438 confirming the order status of the storage order associated with the MNO 114 (operator) and information that may be used to authenticate the user of the mobile wireless device 102. At 716, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 may send an initiate activation message to the mobile wireless device 102, wherein the initiate activation message may include hardware identifiers and software identifiers associated with the hosting order (e.g., EID value, ICCID value, source ICCID value, phone number, PLMN, GID value), and a credential challenge for authenticating a user of the mobile wireless device 102 to install the eSIM 208 to the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 718, the device manufacturer MNO service's server 436 receives a credential response for authenticating the user to perform the eSIM 208 installation for the mobile wireless device 102. At 722, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service sends an authenticate user message to the MNO infrastructure server 438 to authenticate the user of the mobile wireless device 102, the authenticate user message including an identifier of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., IMEI, EID, SN# value), and an identifier of the eSIM 208 to be installed on the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., ICCID value, operator reference, and authentication information obtained from the mobile wireless device 102). At 724, the MNO infrastructure server 438 provides an authentication response indicating the authentication status of the user of the mobile wireless device 102. At 726, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service sends a complete hosting order message to the MNO infrastructure server 438. The complete hosting order message includes an identifier of the mobile wireless device 102 (e.g., IMEI, EID, SN# value), and an identifier of the eSIM 208 (e.g., ICCID value and operator reference). The completed hosting order message may trigger the MNO infrastructure server 438 to transfer the cellular wireless subscription service from the previous SIM / eSIM 208 of the second mobile wireless device 102 .At 728, the MNO infrastructure server 438 may send a confirm order message and request the MNO provisioning server 116 to release the eSIM 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. Due to the complete hosting order message at 726 and the subsequent confirm order at 728, deactivation of the previous SIM / eSIM 208 associated with the second mobile wireless device 102 may occur before installation and activation of the new eSIM 208 on the mobile wireless device 102 occurs.
[0046] At 730, the MNO configuration server 116 sends an ES12 registration event message triggered by the ES2+ download order and confirmation message to the server 434 of the device manufacturer device service, wherein the ES12 registration event message includes an indication that there is an eSIM 208 (or multiple eSIMs 208) reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. The ES12 registration event message may include identifiers of the mobile wireless device 102 and the eSIM 208. At 732, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service may then receive a response from the MNO infrastructure server 438 confirming the order status of the deposit order associated with the MNO 114 (operator). At 734, the server 436 of the device manufacturer MNO service sends an activation ticket to the mobile wireless device 102 to initiate the installation and activation of the eSIM 208 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 736, the mobile wireless device 102 obtains the address (e.g., Universal Resource Locator (URL) or equivalent) of the MNO provisioning server 116 from which the eSIM 208 is to be obtained. At 738, the mobile wireless device 102 downloads one or more eSIMs 208 previously reserved for the mobile wireless device 102 from the MNO provisioning server 116 to the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 740, the mobile wireless device 102 provides a confirmation receipt indicating successful installation of the eSIM 208 on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 742, the MNO provisioning server 116 sends an ES12 delete event message (the deleted event corresponds to the event previously registered at 608). Since the eSIM 208 was previously released (at 728), propagation of the eSIM information to other MNO servers has already occurred (the eSIM 208 is implicitly active after the confirmation command and is ready for use when installed at the mobile wireless device 102). Thus, for situations where a previous deactivation occurred prior to the installation and activation of the eSIM, monitoring mode is not required. At 746, the mobile wireless device 102 attempts and successfully attaches to the access network portion of the MNO cellular wireless network 602. After attachment, an over-the-air (OTA) update of the newly installed eSIM 208 may occur if necessary.
[0047] Figure 8A diagram 800 is shown of a set of exemplary information screens that may be provided via a display of a mobile wireless device 102 as part of on-device activation of an eSIM 208 during a device activation process on the mobile wireless device 102. Additional information screens (not shown) may be provided on the display of the mobile wireless device 102. Figure 8 The activation screen may confirm the phone number to be transferred and request the user to enter authentication credentials to indicate authorization to transfer the phone number to the mobile wireless device 102. Additional wireless cellular plans for other SIM / eSIMs may also be transferred separately in the Transfer Cellular Plan Information screen. Previously transferred phone numbers (from the Activation Information screen) may be indicated as having been transferred on the Transfer Cellular Plan Information screen. After the transfer of one or more cellular wireless plans, the user may be presented with options for transferring additional data from the second mobile wireless device 102 or from an associated cloud-based service account, as indicated by the Transfer Your Data Information screen.
[0048] Fig. 9 An illustration 900 of a flow diagram of an exemplary method performed by one or more network-based servers 434, 436 to configure and activate an eSIM 208 for a mobile wireless device 102 is shown. At 902, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 receive a storage order message indicating one or more eSIMs 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102 from the MNO infrastructure server 438. At 904, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 receive a request activation message from the mobile wireless device 102 to activate the mobile wireless device 102, wherein the request activation message occurs after receiving the storage order message. At 906, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 send an activation ticket indicating one or more eSIMs 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102 to the mobile wireless device 102 after receiving the request activation message. At 908, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 receive an indication from the mobile wireless device 102 that at least one of the one or more eSIMs 208 is successfully installed on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 920, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 send a completed hosting order message to the MNO infrastructure server 438, the completed hosting order message indicating that at least one of the one or more eSIMs 208 is successfully installed on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102, wherein the hosting order message causes the MNO infrastructure server 438 to activate the cellular wireless subscription service of the at least one eSIM 208 of the mobile wireless device 102.
[0049] In some embodiments, in response to receiving the request activation message, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 send a credential challenge to the mobile wireless device 102 for authenticating the user of the mobile wireless device 102, and subsequently send an activation ticket to the mobile wireless device 102 only after the user of the mobile wireless device 102 successfully authenticates. In some embodiments, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 receive a registration event message from the MNO provisioning server 116 prior to receiving the parking order message from the MNO infrastructure server 438, and subsequently, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 correlate information included in the registration event message from the MNO provisioning server 116 with corresponding information included in the parking order message from the MNO infrastructure server 438. In some embodiments, correlating the registration event message includes comparing an identifier of an eSIM 208 of one or more eSIMs 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102 included in the registration event message with a corresponding identifier of an eSIM 208 included in the parking order message. In some embodiments, after successfully installing at least one of the one or more eSIMs 208 on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 receive a deletion event message corresponding to the registration event message from the MNO provisioning server 116. In some embodiments, after completing the activation ticket, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 provide the mobile wireless device 102 with the network address of the MNO provisioning server 116 from which to download the one or more eSIMs 208. In some embodiments, after successfully installing at least one of the one or more eSIMs 208, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 verify whether the one or more eSIM identifiers received from the mobile wireless device 102 match the corresponding eSIM identifiers included in the hosting order message from the MNO infrastructure server 438, and then send a hosting order completion message to the MNO infrastructure server 438 only upon successful verification indicating a match of the eSIM identifiers. In some embodiments, the hosting order message includes a delayed tethering action indication for the one or more eSIMs 208, wherein at least one of the one or more eSIMs 208 may be activated at a future time. In some embodiments, in response to completing the hosting order message, the MNO infrastructure server 438 deactivates the subscription service of at least one eSIM 208 of the second mobile wireless device 102 corresponding to the at least one eSIM 208 activated for the mobile wireless device 102.In some embodiments, the hosting order message received from the MNO infrastructure server 438 includes an integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID) of at least one eSIM 208 of the second mobile wireless device 102 and the ICCID of one or more eSIMs 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, the one or more network-based servers 434, 436 include a server 434 of device manufacturer device services for communicating with the mobile wireless device 102 and a server 436 of device manufacturer MNO services for communicating with one or more MNO servers 438, 116.
[0050] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B Illustrations 1000, 1020 of flowcharts of exemplary methods performed by a mobile wireless device 102 to configure and activate an eSIM 208 to the mobile wireless device 102 are shown. At 1002, the mobile wireless device 102 sends a request activation message to a network-based server 434 to initiate activation of the mobile wireless device 102, including initiating eSIM installation and activation of the mobile wireless device 102. At 1004, the mobile wireless device 102 receives an initiate activation message from the network-based server 434, the initiate activation message including a credential challenge for authenticating a user of the mobile wireless device 102. At 1006, the mobile wireless device 102 sends a credential response to the network-based server 434 for authenticating the user of the mobile wireless device 102. At 1008, in response to successful authentication of the user of the mobile wireless device 102, the mobile wireless device 102 receives an activation ticket from the network-based server 434 indicating the eSIM 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. At 1010, the mobile wireless device 102 establishes a secure connection to the MNO provisioning server 116 associated with the eSIM 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102. At 1012, the mobile wireless device 102 obtains the eSIM 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102 from the MNO provisioning server 116 via the secure connection. At 1014, the mobile wireless device 102 installs the eSIM 208 on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 1016, the mobile wireless device 102 sends an indication to the MNO provisioning server 116 that the eSIM 208 was successfully installed on the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102. At 1022, the mobile wireless device 102 attempts to attach to the MNO cellular wireless network 602 associated with the eSIM 208. At 1024 , in response to receiving a device attach failure message from the MNO cellular wireless network 602 , the mobile wireless device 102 performs a monitoring mode process to retry attaching to the MNO cellular wireless network 602 until a successful attach occurs or a maximum number of retry attempts is reached.
[0051] In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device 102: i) configures the time for the monitoring mode process, ii) monitors for successful attachment with the MNO cellular wireless network 602 by attempting to attach to the MNO cellular wireless network 602 and observing a corresponding response received, and iii) when no successful attachment occurs and before a maximum number of retry attempts is reached, after the timer expires, disables and re-enables the eSIM 208, and thereafter continues to monitor for successful attachment with the MNO cellular wireless network 602. In some embodiments, the initiate activation message includes an integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID) of the eSIM 208, wherein the eSIM 208 was previously reserved for the mobile wireless device 102 based on a sales order for the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, the initiate activation message also includes an eUICC identifier (EID) of the eUICC 108 of the mobile wireless device 102 on which the previously reserved eSIM 208 is to be configured. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device 102: i) receives a message from the second network-based server 436 in response to the query that includes an indication of one or more pending eSIMs 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102, ii) compares the ICCID of the eSIM 208 included in the initiate activation message received from the second network-based server 436 with the corresponding ICCIDs of the one or more pending eSIMs 208 reserved for the mobile wireless device 102, and iii) when the ICCID of the eSIM 208 matches the ICCID of the corresponding ICCID, triggers downloading and installing the eSIM 208 from the MNO provisioning server 116. In some embodiments, the initiate activation message includes the ICCID of the eSIM 208 of the second mobile wireless device 102 from which the subscription of the eSIM 208 is to be transferred to the mobile wireless device 102. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless device 102 obtains the network address of the MNO provisioning server 116 from the network-based server 434 after receiving the activation ticket.
[0052] Fig.11 1 shows a detailed view of a representative computing device 1100 that can be used to implement the various methods described herein according to some embodiments. In particular, the detailed view shows various components that can be included in the mobile wireless device 102. Fig.11As shown, the computing device 1100 may include a processor 1102, which represents a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the computing device 1100. The computing device 1100 may also include a user input device 1108 that allows a user of the computing device 1100 to interact with the computing device 1100. For example, the user input device 1108 may take a variety of forms, such as buttons, keypads, dials, touch screens, audio input interfaces, visual / image capture input interfaces, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Further, the computing device 1100 may include a display 1110 that can be controlled by the processor 1102 to display information to the user. The data bus 1116 can facilitate data transfer between at least the storage device 1140, the processor 1102, and the controller 1113. The controller 1113 can be used to interact with and control different devices through the device control bus 1114. The computing device 1100 may also include a network / bus interface 1111 that can be communicatively coupled to the data link 1112. In the case of a wireless connection, the network / bus interface 1111 may include a wireless transceiver.
[0053] The computing device 1100 also includes a storage device 1140 (which may include a single disk or multiple disks, such as a hard drive), and includes a storage management module that manages one or more partitions within the storage device 1140. In some embodiments, the storage device 1140 may include flash memory, semiconductor (solid-state) memory, etc. The computing device 1100 may also include a random access memory (RAM) 1120 and a read-only memory (ROM) 1122. The ROM 1122 may store programs, utilities, or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM 1120 may provide volatile data storage and store instructions related to the operation of the computing device 1100. The computing device 1100 may also include a secure element (SE) 1150, which may represent a secure storage for the mobile wireless device 102 to access the cellular wireless system. The computing device 1100 also includes a secure element 1124, which may include an eUICC 108, on which one or more eSIMs 208 are stored.
[0054] Wireless Terminology
[0055] According to various embodiments described herein, the terms "wireless communication device", "wireless device", "mobile wireless device", "mobile station", and "user equipment (UE)" may be used interchangeably herein to describe one or more common consumer electronic devices that may be capable of performing the processes associated with various embodiments of the present disclosure. According to various specific implementations, any of these consumer electronic devices may relate to: a cellular phone or smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a personal computer, a netbook computer, a media player device, an e-book device, Devices, wearable computing devices, and any other type of electronic computing device with wireless communication capabilities, which wireless communication capabilities may include communication via one or more wireless communication protocols, which wireless communication protocols, such as protocols used to communicate on the following networks: wireless wide area network (WWAN), wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless personal area network (WPAN), near field communication (NFC), cellular wireless networks, fourth generation (4G) long term evolution (LTE), advanced LTE (LTE-A), and / or 5G or other currently or future developed advanced cellular wireless networks.
[0056] In some embodiments, the wireless communication device may also operate as part of a wireless communication system, which may include a group of client devices, which may also be referred to as stations, client wireless devices, or client wireless communication devices, which are interconnected to an access point (AP), for example, as part of a WLAN, and / or interconnected with each other, for example, as part of a WPAN and / or "ad hoc" wireless network. In some embodiments, the client device may be any wireless communication device capable of communicating via WLAN technology (e.g., according to a wireless local area network communication protocol). In some embodiments, the WLAN technology may include a Wi-Fi (or more generally, a WLAN) wireless communication subsystem or radio component, which may implement the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 technology, such as one or more of the following: IEEE 802.11a; IEEE 802.11b; IEEE 802.11g; IEEE 802.11-2007; IEEE 802.11n; IEEE 802.11-2012; IEEE802.11ac; or other current or future developed IEEE 802.11 technology.
[0057] In addition, it should be understood that the UE described herein may be configured as a multi-mode wireless communication device that is also capable of communicating via different third generation (3G) and / or second generation (2G) RATs. In these cases, the multi-mode UE may be configured to prefer attaching to an LTE network that provides a faster data rate throughput over other 3G legacy networks that provide a lower data rate throughput. For example, in some specific implementations, the multi-mode UE may be configured to fall back to a 3G legacy network, such as an evolved high speed packet access (HSPA+) network, or a code division multiple access (CDMA) 2000 evolution-data only (EV-DO) network when LTE and LTE-A networks are otherwise unavailable.
[0058] The various aspects, embodiments, specific implementations or features of the embodiments may be used individually or in any combination. The various aspects of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The embodiments may also be implemented as computer readable code on a non-transient computer readable medium. A non-transient computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can then be read by a computer system. Examples of non-transient computer readable media include read-only memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, HDD, DVD, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. Non-transient computer readable media may also be distributed on a network coupled computer system so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed manner.
[0059] In connection with this disclosure, it is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.
[0060] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Therefore, the foregoing description of specific embodiments is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are feasible.
Claims
1. A method for activating an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) for accessing services of a mobile network operator (MNO) by a mobile wireless device, the method comprising: By the mobile wireless device: Sending a request message to initiate eSIM activation to a network-based server; receiving an initiate activation message from the network-based server, the initiate activation message including a credential challenge for authenticating a user of the mobile wireless device and an indication of an eSIM of the mobile wireless device; sending a credential response for authentication to the network-based server; receiving an authentication response from the network-based server; receiving, in response to the query, a message from a second network-based server indicating one or more pending eSIMs reserved for the mobile wireless device; as well as When the integrated circuit card identifier ICCID value of the eSIM indicated in the initiate activation message matches the ICCID value of the pending eSIM in the one or more pending eSIMs: obtaining the eSIM via a secure connection with an MNO provisioning server; as well as An instruction to install the eSIM on an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) of the mobile wireless device is sent to the MNO provisioning server via the second network-based server.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: attempting to attach to a cellular wireless network associated with the MNO using the eSIM; as well as In response to receiving an attach failure message from the cellular wireless network, attaching to the cellular wireless network is retried until an attach occurs or a maximum number of retry attempts is reached.
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: By the mobile wireless device: Configure the timer for the monitoring mode process; monitoring a successful attachment to the cellular wireless network by observing a received response to the attachment attempt; and When no successful attachment occurs and before a maximum number of retry attempts is reached, after a timer expires, the eSIM is disabled and re-enabled, and thereafter continues to monitor for successful attachment to the cellular wireless network.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: reserving the eSIM for the mobile wireless device based on a sales order for the mobile wireless device; and The initiation activation message includes the ICCID value of the eSIM.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The eSIM was previously associated with a second mobile wireless device, the second mobile wireless device being associated with the user of the mobile wireless device; and The initiation activation message includes the ICCID value of the eSIM.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The initiate activation message includes an eUICC identifier, EID value, of the eUICC of the mobile wireless device on which the eSIM is to be provisioned.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: By the mobile wireless device: The ICCID value of the eSIM included in the initiate activation message is compared to corresponding ICCIDs of the one or more pending eSIMs reserved for the mobile wireless device.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The eSIM indicated in the initiate activation message corresponds to an eSIM of a second mobile wireless device, the subscription of the eSIM of the second mobile wireless device being transferred from the second mobile wireless device to the mobile wireless device.
9. A mobile wireless device, comprising: wireless circuitry including one or more antennas; as well as One or more processors communicatively coupled to the wireless circuitry and to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the mobile wireless device to activate an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) by at least: Sending a request message to initiate eSIM activation to a network-based server; receiving an initiate activation message from the network-based server, the initiate activation message including a credential challenge for authenticating a user of the mobile wireless device and an indication of an eSIM of the mobile wireless device; sending a credential response for authentication to the network-based server; receiving an authentication response from the network-based server; receiving, in response to the query, a message from a second network-based server indicating one or more pending eSIMs reserved for the mobile wireless device; as well as When the integrated circuit card identifier ICCID value of the eSIM indicated in the initiate activation message matches the ICCID value of the pending eSIM in the one or more pending eSIMs: obtaining the eSIM via a secure connection with a mobile network operator (MNO) provisioning server; as well as An instruction to install the eSIM on an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) of the mobile wireless device is sent to the MNO provisioning server via the second network-based server.
10. The mobile wireless device of claim 9, wherein: Execution of the instructions further configures the mobile wireless device to: attempting to attach to a cellular wireless network of the MNO using the eSIM; and In response to receiving an attach failure message from the cellular wireless network, attaching to the cellular wireless network is retried until an attach occurs or a maximum number of retry attempts is reached.
11. The mobile wireless device of claim 10, wherein: Execution of the instructions further configures the mobile wireless device to: Configure the timer for the monitoring mode process; monitoring a successful attachment to the cellular wireless network by observing a received response to the attachment attempt; and When no successful attachment occurs and before a maximum number of retry attempts is reached, after a timer expires, the eSIM is disabled and re-enabled, and thereafter continues to monitor for successful attachment to the cellular wireless network.
12. The mobile wireless device of claim 9, wherein: reserving the eSIM for the mobile wireless device based on a sales order for the mobile wireless device; and The initiation activation message includes the ICCID value of the eSIM.
13. The mobile wireless device of claim 9, wherein: The eSIM was previously associated with a second mobile wireless device, the second mobile wireless device being associated with the user of the mobile wireless device; and The initiation activation message includes the ICCID value of the eSIM.
14. The mobile wireless device of claim 9, wherein: The initiate activation message includes an eUICC identifier, EID value, of the eUICC of the mobile wireless device on which the eSIM is to be provisioned.
15. The mobile wireless device of claim 9, wherein: Execution of the instructions further configures the mobile wireless device to: The ICCID value of the eSIM included in the initiate activation message is compared to corresponding ICCIDs of the one or more pending eSIMs reserved for the mobile wireless device.
16. The mobile wireless device of claim 9, wherein: The eSIM indicated in the initiate activation message corresponds to an eSIM of a second mobile wireless device, the subscription of the eSIM of the second mobile wireless device being transferred from the second mobile wireless device to the mobile wireless device.
17. An apparatus configured to operate in a mobile wireless device, the apparatus comprising one or more processors communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, configuring the mobile wireless device to activate an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) by at least: Sending a request message to initiate eSIM activation to a network-based server; receiving an initiate activation message from the network-based server, the initiate activation message including a credential challenge for authenticating a user of the mobile wireless device and an indication of an eSIM of the mobile wireless device; sending a credential response for authentication to the network-based server; receiving an authentication response from the network-based server; receiving, in response to the query, a message from a second network-based server indicating one or more pending eSIMs reserved for the mobile wireless device; as well as When the integrated circuit card identifier ICCID value of the eSIM indicated in the initiate activation message matches the ICCID value of the pending eSIM in the one or more pending eSIMs: obtaining the eSIM via a secure connection with a mobile network operator (MNO) provisioning server; as well as An instruction to install the eSIM on an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) of the mobile wireless device is sent to the MNO provisioning server via the second network-based server.
18. The device according to claim 17, wherein: Execution of the instructions further configures the mobile wireless device to: attempting to attach to a cellular wireless network of the MNO using the eSIM; and In response to receiving an attach failure message from the cellular wireless network, attaching to the cellular wireless network is retried until an attach occurs or a maximum number of retry attempts is reached.
19. The device according to claim 18, wherein: Execution of the instructions further configures the mobile wireless device to: Configure the timer for the monitoring mode process; monitoring a successful attachment to the cellular wireless network by observing a received response to the attachment attempt; and When no successful attachment occurs and before a maximum number of retry attempts is reached, after a timer expires, the eSIM is disabled and re-enabled, and thereafter continues to monitor for successful attachment to the cellular wireless network.
20. The device according to claim 17, wherein: Execution of the instructions further configures the mobile wireless device to: The ICCID value of the eSIM included in the initiate activation message is compared to corresponding ICCIDs of the one or more pending eSIMs reserved for the mobile wireless device.