UPDATING PROFILES FOR SECONDARY WIRELESS DEVICES

Abstract

A method for updating electronic subscriber identity modules, eSIMs (208), on an embedded universal integrated circuit card, eUICC (108) contained in a wireless device (102, 302), the method comprising: by a processing circuit of the wireless device (102, 302) outside the eUICC (108): Perform an eSIM update process, which includes: Sending, to the eUICC (108), a command to trigger an eSIM update applet (212) on the eUICC (108); Receiving, from the eUICC (108), a request to establish a secure data connection to a network provisioning server (116); Establishing the secure data connection between the eUICC (108) and the network provisioning server (116); and Receiving, from the eUICC (108), an eSIM update status; and characterized by: Repeat the eSIM update process until the eSIM update status indicates success or a maximum number of retries are made.

Description

AREA

[0001] The described embodiments set forth techniques for updating electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) on embedded universal integrated circuit cards (eUICCs) included in cellular-capable secondary wireless devices in communication with a primary wireless device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Many wireless devices are configured to use removable universal integrated circuit cards (UICCs) capable of accessing services provided by mobile network operators (MNOs). Specifically, each UICC includes at least one microprocessor and one read-only memory (ROM), where the ROM is configured to store an MNO profile that the wireless device can use to register with and interact with an MNO to obtain wireless services over a wireless network. Typically, a UICC takes the form of a small removable card (commonly referred to as a subscriber identity module card (SIM card)) configured to be inserted into a UICC receptacle included in a wireless device.In more recent implementations, UICCs are embedded directly into the motherboards of wireless devices. These embedded UICCs (eUICCs) can provide several advantages over traditional removable UICCs. For example, some eUICCs can include rewritable memory that can support installation, modification, and / or deletion of one or more eSIMs, which can support new and / or different services and / or updates to access advanced features provided by MNOs. An eUICC can store a number of MNO profiles—also referred to herein as eSIMs—and can eliminate the need to include UICC slots in wireless devices. Furthermore, eSIMs on eUICCs can be managed decentralized from network servers that communicate with a mobile device's eUICC through mobile device processors.

[0003] Methods for managing eSIMs of mobile devices include both MNO-oriented approaches involving network equipment of an MNO, such as a provisioning server that communicates directly with an eUICC of a mobile device through a secure OTA (over-the-air) channel, and device-oriented approaches involving a mobile device processor that initiates and / or participates in the management of eSIMs on the eUICC of the mobile device. Prior art document WO 2015 / 157 933 A1 describes methods and devices for dynamic VSIM provisioning on a wireless multi-SIM device having a first SIM as a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) and a virtual SIM (VSIM) stored on an embedded UICC (eUICC).

[0004] The prior art document US 2016 / 0 246 585 A1 describes updating the software of an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card, eUICC, contained in a mobile device.

[0005] The prior art document US 2016 / 0 316 356 A1 describes methods for maintaining multiple electronic subscriber identity modules, eSIMs, in a user equipment, UE, such that an inactive eSIM can be maintained / updated in the UE device while an active eSIM is used by the UE device to communicate with a corresponding network.

[0006] The prior art document US 2012 / 0 108 207 A1 describes methods and devices that enable the programming of electronic identification information of a wireless device.

[0007] The prior art document US 2016 / 0 277 051 A1 describes techniques that enable mobile devices to trigger an electronic subscriber identity module, eSIM, provisioning process. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention is defined in the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] Typical embodiments set forth techniques for managing updates to electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) of a secondary wireless device associated with a primary wireless device. Processing circuitry external to an embedded universal integrated circuit card (UICC) included in the secondary wireless device initiates an eSIM update check when data connectivity to a cellular wireless network is available, either directly through the secondary wireless device or indirectly through the primary wireless device. An eSIM update process may be initiated based on user input to the secondary wireless device or to the primary wireless device.The eSIM update process can also be initiated based on the expiration of a timer without user input. The processing circuitry provides a command to the eUICC to trigger an applet to check for an eSIM update. In response to the command, the eUICC requests a secure data connection, which is established between the eUICC of the secondary wireless device and a network provisioning server of the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the secure data connection includes a cellular wireless connection directly from the secondary wireless device to the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the secure data connection includes a non-cellular wireless connection to the primary wireless device and a cellular wireless connection from the primary wireless device to the cellular wireless network.The eUICC requests an eSIM update from the provisioning server and receives the eSIM update in response according to a Bearer Independent Protocol (BIP). The eUICC provides a message indicating an eSIM update state. If the eSIM update is successful, the processing circuitry of the secondary wireless device causes the secondary wireless device to enter a reduced power state. If the eSIM update fails, the processing circuitry repeats the eSIM update process until the eSIM update is successful or a maximum number of retries are made.

[0010] This summary is provided solely for the purpose of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it is understood that the features described above are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Additional features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, figures, and claims.

[0011] Further aspects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the described embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The included drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are intended to provide examples of possible structures and arrangements for the disclosed inventive apparatus and methods for providing wireless computing devices. These drawings in no way limit changes in form and details that may be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art. The embodiments will be readily understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like structural elements. Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of various components of an exemplary system configured to implement the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a more detailed view of exemplary components of the system of Fig. 1 according to some embodiments. Fig. 3 illustrates an example message exchange for providing an eSIM update to a secondary wireless device, according to some embodiments. Fig. 4 illustrates another example message exchange for providing an eSIM update to the secondary wireless device in association with a connected primary wireless device, according to some embodiments. Fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for providing eSIM updates directly to the secondary wireless device, according to some embodiments. Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of another example method for providing eSIM updates indirectly to the secondary wireless device via the connected primary wireless device, according to some embodiments. Fig. 7 illustrates a detailed view of a typical computing device that may be used to implement various methods described herein, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Representative applications of devices and methods according to the presently described embodiments are provided in this section. These examples are provided merely to add context and aid in understanding the described embodiments. It will therefore be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presently described embodiments. Other applications are possible, so the following examples should not be considered limiting.

[0014] In accordance with various embodiments described herein, the terms "wireless communication device," "wireless device," "mobile 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 methods associated with various embodiments of the disclosure. In accordance with various implementations, any of these consumer electronic devices may refer to: a mobile phone or smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a notebook, a personal computer, a netbook, a media player device, an electronic book device, a MiFi® device, a portable computing device, as well as any other type of electronic computing device that has wireless communication capability.which involves communication over one or more wireless communication protocols, such as those used for communications over: a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metro area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a near field communication (NFC), a cellular wireless network, a fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A) and / or a fifth generation (5G) or other enhanced cellular wireless networks now or in the future.

[0015] The wireless communication device may, in some embodiments, also operate as part of a wireless communication system, which may include a set of client devices, which may also be referred to as stations, wireless client devices, or wireless client communication devices, connected to an access point (AP), e.g., as part of a WLAN, and / or to each other, e.g., as part of a WPAN and / or an ad hoc wireless network. In some embodiments, the client device may be any wireless communication device capable of communicating via WLAN technology, e.g., in accordance with a wireless communication protocol for local area networks.In some embodiments, the WLAN technology may be a WiFi (or more generally, a WLAN) wireless communication system or radio, where the WiFi radio may implement an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 technology, such as one or more of: IEEE 802.11a; IEEE 802.11b; IEEE 802.11g; IEEE 802.11-2007; IEEE 802.11n; IEEE 802.11-2012; IEEE 802.11ac; or other present or future developed IEEE 802.11 technologies.

[0016] Additionally, it should be understood that some UEs described herein may be configured as multi-mode wireless communication devices that are also capable of communicating over different third-generation (3G) and / or second-generation (2G) RATs. In these scenarios, a multi-mode user equipment (multi-mode UE) may be configured to preferentially connect to LTE networks that offer faster data rate throughput compared to other legacy 3G networks that offer lower data rate throughput. For example, in some implementations, a multi-mode UE may be configured to fallback to a legacy 3G 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.

[0017] Typical embodiments of methods and apparatus presented herein support updating electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs), which may also be referred to as embedded SIMs or profiles, of an embedded universal integrated circuit card (UICC) of a secondary wireless device. eSIM profiles may be provisioned and activated using a bearer-independent protocol (BIP) by the eUICC of the secondary wireless device interacting with a network provisioning server of a mobile network operator (MNO) using a secure over-the-air (OTA) data connection.Activating the eSIM may enable the secondary wireless device to access wireless services to which a user of the secondary wireless device has subscribed. After initial provisioning and activation, the eSIM may require updating, for example, when changes occur to a wireless network service, when the user changes a subscription, when a mobile directory number (MDN) is updated, or when eSIM credentials that support authentication and / or access to cellular wireless network services are updated. Updating the eSIM may be based on a user-initiated BIP process, for example, when a user selects to check for an update via an input on the secondary wireless device (or via an input on a connected primary wireless device), or may be based on a network-initiated BIP process.While most cellular wireless devices are deployed on, bound to, connected to, registered for service with, or otherwise associated with a cellular wireless network most of the time, a new category of cellular wireless devices includes those cellular wireless devices that are disconnected or deregistered from the cellular wireless network most of the time and are rarely connected to or registered for service with the cellular wireless network. Deploying eSIM updates to infrequently connected wireless devices, such as secondary wireless devices that sometimes connect directly to cellular wireless networks and at other times connect through a connected primary wireless device, requires adapting BIP processes to account for infrequent connections.

[0018] Because the secondary wireless device may not be registered with a cellular wireless network all the time, a network-initiated BIP process, such as through the cellular wireless network contacting the secondary wireless device using a Short Message Service (SMS), may not reliably support an OTA update of an eSIM of the secondary wireless device. While cellular wireless devices normally bound or connected to a cellular wireless network can reliably receive an SMS message to initiate an OTA eSIM update, a secondary cellular wireless device that is infrequently bound or connected to a cellular wireless network may not connect frequently enough to receive the OTA eSIM update.Establishing a connection more frequently may consume more battery power and therefore may not be preferable for secondary wireless devices with limited battery power resources. In some embodiments, a secondary wireless device may be deregistered from service with the cellular wireless network, or the secondary wireless device's eSIM may be sometimes disabled or otherwise unusable to conserve power or to limit direct cellular wireless connections to the cellular wireless network. A device-initiated BIP process may also be unreliable, for example, if an applet of an eUICC of the secondary wireless device does not know whether a data connection is available for the secondary wireless device. The applet may repeatedly attempt to check for eSIM updates when no data connection is available, exhausting all available retries.In addition, without knowledge of a state of an eSIM update BIP process, the processing circuitry of the secondary wireless device may not know when the eSIM update BIP process has completed successfully or failed and may remain in standby and therefore unable to enter a reduced power state to conserve limited battery resources.

[0019] In response to a user-initiated action, such as an input to check for an eSIM update, the processing circuitry of the secondary wireless device may determine whether data connectivity is available to establish a secure data connection with a network provisioning server over the cellular wireless network. Alternatively, without user input, such as based on the expiration of a timer and / or upon connection to an external power source, the processing circuitry may autonomously determine whether data connectivity is available (or may cause registration or otherwise connect the secondary wireless device to a cellular wireless network) to enable checking for an eSIM update.If data connectivity is available, the processing circuitry may initiate an eSIM update process by sending a command to the eUICC of the secondary wireless device to trigger an applet on the eUICC to check for eSIM updates. In response to the command, the eUICC requests a secure data connection, which is established between the eUICC of the secondary wireless device and a network provisioning server of the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the secure data connection includes a cellular wireless connection directly from the secondary wireless device to the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the secure data connection includes a non-cellular wireless connection to a connected primary wireless device and a cellular wireless connection from the primary wireless device to the cellular wireless network.The eUICC requests an eSIM update from the provisioning server and receives the eSIM update in response according to a Bearer Independent Protocol (BIP). In some embodiments, the eUICC provides a message indicating an eSIM update status to the processing circuitry, and if the eSIM update is successful, the processing circuitry of the secondary wireless device causes the secondary wireless device to enter a reduced power state. If the eSIM update fails, the processing circuitry repeats the eSIM update process until the eSIM update is successful or a maximum number of retries occur.

[0020] In some embodiments, the primary wireless device may receive a notification to initiate an eSIM update when the secondary wireless device is paired with a primary wireless device. The notification may be delivered to the primary wireless device via an Apple Push Notification Service (APNS). In response to receiving the notification, the primary wireless device may send a message to the secondary wireless device to instruct the secondary wireless device to perform the eSIM update process. The secondary wireless device may request a secure data connection to a network provisioning server of a cellular wireless network to perform the eSIM update.The secure data connection may be established between the eUICC of the secondary wireless device as a relay connection by the primary wireless device, including a cellular OTA wireless connection between the primary wireless device and the cellular wireless network and a non-cellular wireless connection between the primary wireless device and the secondary wireless device. The eSIM update process may use a BIP process and may terminate upon successful completion of the BIP process, which may be indicated in a status message from the eUICC to the processing circuitry. The eSIM update process may also terminate when a maximum number of retries for completing the BIP process are made, for example, when consecutive BIP process failures are reported in status messages from the eUICC.Upon completion, the processing circuitry of the secondary wireless device may request that the secure data connection be disconnected to conserve battery power.

[0021] These and other embodiments are described below with reference to Fig. 1 to 7; however, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of various components of a system 100 configured to implement the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. More specifically, Fig. 1 is a general overview of the system 100, which includes, as shown, a wireless device 102, a group of base stations 112 managed by various mobile network operators (MNOs) 114, and a set of provisioning servers 116 in communication with the MNOs 114. According to the illustration of Fig. 1, the wireless device 102 may represent a mobile computing device (e.g., an iPhone®, an iPad®, or an Apple Watch® from Apple®), the base stations 112 may represent various cell towers configured to communicate with the wireless device 102, and the MNOs 114 may represent various wireless service providers that provide specific services (e.g., voice and data) to which the wireless device 102 may subscribe. In some embodiments, the wireless device 102 is a secondary wireless device that communicates with another wireless device 102, which may be referred to as a primary wireless device. For example, the secondary wireless device may be a wrist-wearable device paired with a smartphone that serves as the primary wireless device.The secondary wireless device may share at least some wireless services to which a user of the primary wireless device subscribes. In some embodiments, the secondary wireless device may form direct cellular wireless connections with a cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the secondary wireless device uses direct cellular wireless connections only when indirect non-cellular wireless connections via the primary wireless device are unavailable, for example, when the secondary wireless device is separated from the primary wireless device by a distance sufficient that a non-cellular wireless connection to the primary wireless device cannot be established.

[0023] As in Fig. 1, the wireless device 102 may include processing circuitry, which may include one or more processors 104 and memory 106, an eUICC 108, and a baseband component 110. These components cooperate to enable the wireless device 102 to provide useful features to a user of the wireless device 102, such as localized computing, location-based services, and internet connectivity. The eUICC 108 may be configured to store multiple eSIMs for accessing the various MNOs 114 through the base stations 112. For example, the eUICC 108 may be configured to store and manage one or more eSIMs for one or more MNOs 114 for different subscriptions to which the wireless device 102 is connected. In order to be able to access services provided by the MNOs, an eSIM for the eUICC 108 is provided.Additionally, eSIMs stored on the eUICC 108 may be updated, modified, activated, deactivated, and / or deleted via communication between the eUICC 108 of the wireless device 102 and applicable network equipment, such as the provisioning server 116 (or other equivalent or similar network-based eSIM management entities, such as a Subscription Manager-Data Preparation (SM-DP) entity). In some embodiments, eSIMs are pre-stored in the eUICC 108 in a deactivated state, and during a provisioning process, the eUICC 108 obtains MNO credentials (e.g., keys, etc.), service information (e.g., carrier information, subscribed services), and / or other information and uses this information to update the eSIM. In some embodiments, eSIMs are not pre-stored in the eUICC 108, and the eUICC 108 obtains one or more eSIMs from one or more connected provisioning servers 116.It should be noted that the provisioning servers 116 may be managed by a manufacturer of the wireless device 102, the MNOs 114, third-party entities, and the like. Communication of eSIM data between a network provisioning server 116 and the eUICC 108 may use a secure data communication channel over which a series of commands between the network provisioning server 116 and the eUICC 108 results in provisioning (or other management, such as updating) of an eSIM for (or on) the eUICC 108. In some embodiments, the eSIM data is communicated via processing circuitry, e.g., processor 104, of the wireless device 102. In some embodiments, the eSIM data is communicated to the processor 104 of the wireless device 102 for loading into and / or installation in the eUICC 108 while connected to the network provisioning server 116.In some embodiments, eSIM data is communicated to the processor 104 for subsequent loading and / or installation into the eUICC 108 without a parallel connection to the provisioning server and / or securely through a connection between the provisioning server and the eUICC 108 during the loading and / or installation process, e.g., using an offline process. Although in . Fig. 1, the wireless device 102 may also be configured to include a receptacle for a removable UICC (e.g., a SIM card) on which an eSIM may be similarly updated using the techniques described herein. In some embodiments, the eSIM data for the eUICC 108 of the wireless device 102 is communicated, e.g., from a secondary wireless device, via another wireless device 102, e.g., via a primary wireless device that forms a cellular wireless connection to the network provisioning server 116 as a relay connection between the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device through the primary wireless device to the network provisioning server 116.

[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a more detailed view 200 of certain components of the wireless device 102 of Fig. 1 according to some embodiments. As in Fig. 2, the processor(s) 104 in conjunction with the memory 106 may implement a central operating system (OS) 202 configured to execute applications 204 (e.g., native OS applications and user applications). As also shown in Fig. 2, the eUICC 108 may be configured to implement an eUICC OS 206 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 eSIMs 208 stored by the eUICC 108, e.g., by enabling, disabling, modifying, or otherwise managing the eSIMs 208 in the eUICC 108, and providing access to the eSIMs 208 to the baseband component 110 to provide access to wireless services for the wireless device 102.The OS of the eUICC 108 may include an eSIM manager 210, which in some embodiments may be an ISD (Issue Security Domain) layer application, a "security domain" according to a Global Platform specification, a security domain associated with one or more eSIMs that invokes additional eUICC OS installation services, and / or an application that implements a specific set of security services, e.g., to establish and manage a secure channel and / or to provide encryption / decryption functions. The eSIM manager 210 may perform management functions for various eSIMs, such as coordinating with a baseband component 110 to establish a secure data connection to a network provisioning server 116, checking for eSIM updates, and obtaining and installing eSIM updates on the eUICC 108, as described in more detail herein. According to the method described in . Fig. 2, each eSIM 208 may include a number of applets 212 that determine the manner in which the eSIM 208 operates. For example, one or more applets 212 may be configured to enable the wireless device 102 to communicate with an MNO 114 and provide useful features (e.g., phone calls and internet) to a user of the wireless device 102. An applet 212 may also support the management of an eSIM 208, such as checking for, obtaining, and installing eSIM updates.

[0025] As also in Fig. 2, the baseband component 110 of the wireless device 102 may include a baseband OS 214 configured to manage hardware resources of the baseband component 110 (e.g., a processor, memory, other radio components, etc.). According to some embodiments, the baseband component 110 may implement a manager 216 configured to interface with the eUICC 108 to implement various techniques described herein, which may include establishing a secure channel with a network provisioning server 116 and obtaining information (such as eSIM data) from the network provisioning server 116 for purposes of managing the eSIMs 208, including, but not limited to, provisioning, loading, installing, adding, modifying, updating, deleting, or performing other management operations for one or more eSIMs 208. As also shown in Fig. 2, the manager 216 may be configured to implement services 218 representing a collection of software modules instantiated by various applets 212 of activated eSIMs 208 included in the eUICC 108. For example, the services 218 may be configured to manage various connections between the wireless device 102 and the MNOs 114 according to the various eSIMs 208 activated in the eUICC 108.

[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram 300 of an example message exchange for providing eSIM updates to a secondary wireless device 302, according to some embodiments. At 304, a processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 initiates a process for checking for updates to eSIMs of the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302. In some embodiments, the eSIM update process may be initiated based on a user-triggered action, such as an input to the secondary wireless device 302 (or to a connected primary wireless device).In some embodiments, the eSIM update process may be initiated autonomously by the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 without user input, such as based on the expiration of a timer and / or based on whether the secondary wireless device 302 is connected to an external power source, such as via a charger magnetically coupled to a wrist-worn device. In some embodiments, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 checks for eSIM updates at least once per predetermined time interval, such as once per day, while connected to the external power source.In some embodiments, the eSIM update process only proceeds if data connectivity is available for the secondary wireless device 302, for example, if an eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 is activated and / or if the secondary wireless device 302 is registered for service with a cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the eSIM update process only proceeds if no more than a maximum number of retries for checking for eSIM updates have occurred within a predetermined period of time. If the eSIM update process proceeds, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 sends a message to the eUICC at 306 to trigger an associated applet 212 of the eSIM 208 to check for eSIM updates.In some embodiments, the applet 212 of the eSIM 208 is triggered based on the processor 104 sending an Application Protocol Data Unit (APDU) command to the eUICC 108 to check for eSIM updates. At 308, the eUICC 108 sends a message to the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302, where the message includes (or indicates) a request to establish a secure data connection, over a cellular wireless network, between the eUICC 108 and a network provisioning server 116 of the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 communicates with a baseband component 110 to establish a cellular wireless connection to the cellular wireless network.In some embodiments, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 causes the baseband component 110 to enter a standby state from a reduced power state and establish the cellular wireless connection with the cellular wireless network. At 310, the processor 104 establishes a secure data connection between the network provisioning server 116 and the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302 using a cellular wireless connection over the cellular wireless network. After the secure data connection is established, the eUICC 108 communicates with the network provisioning server 116 to request an eSIM update at 312. In some embodiments, the communication between the eUICC 108 and the network provisioning server 116 includes messages according to a Bearer Independent Protocol (BIP) transaction process.At 314, the network provisioning server 116 responds to the eSIM update request with a response including an eSIM update for the eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302. In some embodiments, the eSIM update requests and responses include multiple messages communicated between the eUICC and the network provisioning server 116 to obtain / retrieve the eSIM update. At 316, the eUICC 108 provides a status message to the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 indicating whether the eSIM update process was successful or failed. At 318, the processor 104 determines whether the eSIM update process was successful based at least in part on the message from the status message received from the eUICC 108.If the eSIM update process is successful, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 may cause one or more modules of the secondary wireless device to enter a reduced power state at 320. In some embodiments, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 may cause the baseband component 110 to disconnect the cellular data connection and subsequently enter a reduced power state if the eSIM update process is successfully completed. If the eSIM update process fails, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 may cause the eSIM update process to repeat until the operation is successful or until a maximum number of retries are made.In some embodiments, repeating the eSIM update process includes one or more of triggering the eSIM 208 applet 212 of the eUICC 108, establishing the secure data connection between the eUICC 108 and the network provisioning server 116 in response to a connection request from the eUICC 108, retrieving an eSIM update from the network provisioning server 116 by the eUICC 108 over the secure data connection, and reporting the status of the eSIM update process to the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302.

[0027] Fig. 4 illustrates a diagram 400 of another example message exchange for providing eSIM updates to a secondary wireless device 302 in conjunction with a primary wireless device 402, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the Fig. 4 illustrates the eSIM update process when the secondary wireless device 302 is in proximity to the primary wireless device 402 such that a non-cellular wireless connection exists between the secondary wireless device 302 and the primary wireless device 402 (or can be established by the primary wireless device 402). At 404, the primary wireless device 404 receives a notification that an eSIM update is available for an eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302. In some embodiments, the primary wireless device 402 receives the notification as an Apple Push Notification Service (APNS) message sent to the primary wireless device 402 to trigger the eSIM update process.At 406, the primary wireless device 402 sends a message to the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 to indicate the availability of the eSIM update for the eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302. In some embodiments, the notification received from the primary wireless device 402 and / or the message sent to the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 includes an APDU command for the processor 104 to send to the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302 to initiate the eSIM update process. At 408, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 initiates the eSIM update process. In some embodiments, the eSIM update process is conditionally initiated based on whether a maximum number of retries of the eSIM update process have occurred within a predetermined period of time.As the eSIM update process proceeds, at 410, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 sends a message to the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302 to trigger an eSIM 208 applet 212 of the UICC 108 to update the eSIM 208. At 412, the eUICC 108 sends a message to the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302, the message including a request to establish a secure data connection over a cellular network.

[0028] Wireless network, between the eUICC 108 and a network provisioning server 116 of the cellular wireless network. At 414, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 sends a message to the primary wireless device 402, forwarding the request to establish the secure data connection to the network provisioning server 116. At 416, the primary wireless device 402 establishes a secure data connection to the network provisioning server 116, wherein the secure data connection includes a cellular wireless connection between the primary wireless device 402 and a cellular wireless network and a non-cellular wireless connection between the primary wireless device 402 and the secondary wireless device 302.In some embodiments, the secure data connection is a secure tunneled OTA connection between the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302 and the network provisioning server 116 via the primary wireless device 402, wherein the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 and the primary wireless device 402 act as connections for communicating messages between the eUICC 108 and the network provisioning server 116 with limited or no access to read the messages.

[0029] After the secure data connection is established, the eUICC 108 communicates with the network provisioning server 116 at 418 to request an eSIM update. In some embodiments, the communication between the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302 and the network provisioning server 116 includes messages according to a Bearer Independent Protocol (BIP) transaction process. At 420, the network provisioning server 116 responds to the eSIM update request with a response including an eSIM update for the eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302. In some embodiments, the eSIM update requests and responses include multiple messages communicated between the eUICC and the network provisioning server 116 to obtain / retrieve the eSIM update.At 422, the eUICC 108 provides the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 with a status message indicating whether the eSIM update process was successful or failed. At 424, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 determines whether the eSIM update process was successful based at least in part on the message from the status message received from the eUICC 108. If the eSIM update process is successful, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 can selectively cause one or more modules of the secondary wireless device to enter a reduced power state at 426.In some embodiments, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 can selectively cause the baseband component 110 to disconnect the cellular data connection and subsequently enter a reduced power state after the eSIM update process successfully completes. If the eSIM update process fails, the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302 can cause the eSIM update process to repeat until the operation is successful or until a maximum number of retries occur.In some embodiments, repeating the eSIM update process includes one or more of triggering the eSIM 208 applet 212 of the eUICC 108, establishing the secure data connection between the eUICC 108 and the network provisioning server 116 in response to a connection request from the eUICC 108, retrieving an eSIM update from the network provisioning server 116 by the eUICC 108 over the secure data connection, and reporting the status of the eSIM update process to the processor 104 of the secondary wireless device 302.

[0030] Fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart 500 of an example method for providing eSIM updates directly to the secondary wireless device 302 from the network provisioning server 116. At 502, the processing circuitry, e.g., the processor 104, of the secondary wireless device 302 sends a command to trigger the applet 212 associated with an eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 to the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302. The applet 212 may initiate a process to check for updates and / or update the eSIM 208. At 504, the processor 104 receives a request to establish a secure data connection to the network provisioning server 116 from the eUICC 108. At 506, the processor 104 causes the secondary wireless device 302 to establish the secure data connection to the network provisioning server 116.After establishing the secure data connection, the eUICC 108 and the network provisioning server 116 communicate directly with each other, for example, using a Bearer Independent Protocol (BIP) process, to exchange messages (e.g., requests and responses) that support updating the eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108. At 508, the processor 104 receives an eSIM update status message from the eUICC 108. If the eSIM update status message indicates that the eSIM update process was successful, the processor 104 causes at least a portion of the secondary wireless device 302 to enter a reduced power state at 510.If the eSIM update status message indicates that the eSIM update process failed, the processor 104 further causes the eSIM update process to be repeated at 510 until the operation is successful or until a maximum number of retries occur.

[0031] Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart 600 of another example method for provisioning eSIM updates indirectly to the secondary wireless device 302 via a primary wireless device 402 from the network provisioning server 116. At 602, the processing circuitry of the secondary wireless device 302, e.g., the processor 104, receives a notification indicating an eSIM update for an eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302 from the primary wireless device 402. In some embodiments, the primary wireless device 402 sends the notification in response to receiving a message, e.g., B. an Apple Push Notification Service (APNS) message to trigger an eSIM update process for the eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302 to the secondary wireless device 302.At 604, the processor 104 sends a command to trigger an applet 212 on the eUICC 108 to the eUICC 108 of the secondary wireless device 302. At 606, the processor 104 receives a request to establish a secure data connection to the network provisioning server 116 from the eUICC 108. At 608, the processor 104 sends a request for the secure data connection to be established between the eUICC 108 and the network provisioning server 116 to the primary wireless device 402. After establishing the secure data connection, the eUICC 108 and the network provisioning server 116 communicate directly with each other, for example, using a Bearer Independent Protocol (BIP) process to exchange messages (e.g., requests and responses) that initiate an update of the eSIM 208 of the eUICC 108 support.At 610, the processor 104 receives an eSIM update status message from the eUICC 108. If the eSIM update status message indicates that the eSIM update process failed, at 612 the processor 104 causes the eSIM update process to be repeated until the operation is successful or until a maximum number of retries are made. If the eSIM update status message indicates that the eSIM update process was successful, the processor 104 optionally causes, in some embodiments, at 614, at least a portion of the secondary wireless device 302 to enter a reduced power state.

[0032] Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a detailed view of a typical computing device 700 that may be used to implement various methods described herein, according to some embodiments. More specifically, the detailed view illustrates various components that may be included in the wireless device 102 described in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the computing device 700 may include a processor 702, which may be a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the computing device 700. The computing device 700 may also include a user input device 708 that enables a user of the computing device 700 to interact with the electronic device 700. For example, the user input device 708 may take a variety of forms, such as a button, a keypad, a dial, a touch screen, an audio input interface, a visual / image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. In addition, the computing device 700 includes a display 710 (screen display) that may be controlled by the processor 702 to display information to the user.A data bus 716 may enable data transfer between at least one storage device 740, the processor 702, and a controller 713. The controller 713 may be used to connect to and control other equipment and the equipment control bus 714. The computing device 700 may also include a network / bus interface 711 coupled to a data link 712. In the case of a wireless connection, the network / bus interface 711 may include a wireless transceiver.

[0033] The computing device 700 also includes a storage device 740, which may comprise a single disk or a plurality of disks (e.g., hard disks), and includes a memory management module that manages one or more partitions within the storage device 740. In some embodiments, the storage device 740 may include flash memory, semiconductor (solid-state) memory, or the like. The computing device 700 may also include a random access memory (RAM) 720 and a read-only memory (ROM) 722. The ROM 722 may store programs, utilities, or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM 720 may provide volatile data storage and stores instructions related to the operation of the computing device 700. The computing device 700 may further include a secure element 750, which may represent the eUICC 108, which in Fig. 1 to 4 and described in detail herein.

[0034] The various aspects, embodiments, implementations, or features of the described embodiments may be used separately or in any combination. Software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software may implement various aspects of the described embodiments. The described embodiments may also be embodied as computer-readable code on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium is any data storage device capable of storing data that can subsequently be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable medium include read-only memory, random access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and optical data storage devices.The computer-readable medium may also be distributed across network-coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0035] The foregoing description utilized specific nomenclature for purposes of explanation in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific details are not required to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

Claims

[1] A method for updating electronic subscriber identity modules, eSIMs (208), on an embedded universal integrated circuit card, eUICC (108) included in a wireless device (102, 302), the method comprising: by a processing circuit of the wireless device (102, 302) outside the eUICC (108): Perform an eSIM update process, which includes: Sending, to the eUICC (108), a command to trigger an eSIM update applet (212) on the eUICC (108); Receiving, from the eUICC (108), a request to establish a secure data connection to a network provisioning server (116); Establishing the secure data connection between the eUICC (108) and the network provisioning server (116); and Receiving, from the eUICC (108), an eSIM update status; and characterized by : Repeat the eSIM update process until the eSIM update status indicates success or a maximum number of retries are made. [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising: by the processing circuitry of the wireless device (102, 302) outside the eUICC (108): Entering a reduced performance state when the eSIM update status indicates that the operation is successful. [3] The method of claim 1, wherein the eSIM update process is repeated if the eSIM update status indicates an error. [4] The method of claim 1, wherein the secure data connection includes a cellular data connection between the wireless device (102, 302) and the network provisioning server (116). [5] The method of claim 1, further comprising: by the eUICC (108) of the wireless device (102, 302): Sending a request for an eSIM update to the network provisioning server (116) according to a carrier-independent protocol, BIP; and Receiving one or more responses including the eSIM update from the network provisioning server (116) according to the BIP. [6] The method of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless device (102, 302) performs the eSIM update process in response to receiving a user-initiated update. [7] The method of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless device (102, 302) performs the eSIM update process in response to the expiration of an update timer while the wireless device (102, 302) is connected to an external power source. [8] The method of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless device (102, 302) performs the eSIM update process in response to receiving a notification from another wireless device (402, 404) in communication with the wireless device (102, 302), the notification indicating the availability of an eSIM update for the eUICC (108). [9] The method of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless device (102, 302) establishes the secure data connection between the eUICC (108) and the network provisioning server (116) by sending a request to establish the secure data connection to the network provisioning server (116) to another wireless device (402, 404) in communication with the wireless device (102, 302). [10] The method of claim 9, wherein the secure data connection includes a cellular data connection between the other wireless device (402, 404) and the network provisioning server (116). [11] The method of claim 10, wherein the secure data connection further includes a non-cellular data connection between the other wireless device (402, 404) and the wireless device (102, 302). [12] A wireless device (102, 302) configured to update electronic subscriber identity modules, eSIMs (208), on an embedded universal integrated circuit card, eUICC (108) included in the wireless device (102, 302), the wireless device (102, 302) comprising: a wireless communication circuit comprising one or more antennas; the eUICC (108); and a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the wireless communication circuit and located external to the eUICC (108), the processing circuit comprising one or more processors and a memory (106) storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processing circuit to: Perform an eSIM update process, which includes: Sending, to the eUICC (108), a command to trigger an eSIM update applet (212) on the eUICC (108); Receiving, from the eUICC (108), a request to establish a secure data connection to a network provisioning server (116); Establishing the secure data connection between the eUICC (108) and the network provisioning server (116); and Receiving, from the eUICC (108), an eSIM update status; and characterized by : Repeat the eSIM update process until the eSIM update status indicates success or a maximum number of retries are made. [13] The wireless device (102, 302) of claim 12, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the processing circuitry to enter a reduced power state if the eSIM update status indicates that the operation is successful. [14] The wireless device (102, 302) of claim 12, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the processing circuitry to: Sending a request for an eSIM update to the network provisioning server (116) according to a carrier-independent protocol, BIP; and Receiving one or more responses including the eSIM update from the network provisioning server (116) according to the BIP. [15] Apparatus for updating electronic subscriber identity modules, eSIMs (208), on an embedded universal integrated circuit card, eUICC (108) contained in a wireless device (102, 302), the apparatus comprising: a processing circuit of the wireless device (102, 302) located external to the eUICC (108), the processing circuit comprising one or more processors and a memory (106) storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processing circuit to: Perform an eSIM update process, which includes: Sending, to the eUICC (108), a command to trigger an eSIM update applet (212) on the eUICC (108); Receiving, from the eUICC (108), a request to establish a secure data connection to a network provisioning server (116); Establishing the secure data connection between the eUICC (108) and the network provisioning server (116); and Receiving, from the eUICC (108), an eSIM update status; and characterized by : Repeat the eSIM update process until the eSIM update status indicates success or a maximum number of retries are made.

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