Embedded SIM update system, IoT device, embedded SIM update method, and computer program

Abstract

To make it possible to update an OS of an embedded SIM implemented in an IoT device without causing update troubles.SOLUTION: An embedded SIM update system 1 includes an embedded SIM 2, an IoT device 3 that connects to a mobile communication network 50 in conjunction with the embedded SIM 2, and a distribution server 4 that stores update data 400 for updating an OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2. The IoT device 3 performs a process of downloading and saving the update data 400 from the distribution server 4 and a process of updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 using the update data 400 when an OS update condition indicating that it can be determined that the IoT device 3 is likely not to be used after saving the update data is fulfilled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a technology for updating an operating system of an embedded SIM implemented in an IoT device. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of IoT devices has become indispensable in people's lives and the economic activities of companies. Here, an IoT device refers to a device that connects to a mobile communication network in conjunction with a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) that records subscriber identification information (such as a telephone number or subscriber identification number) to identify the subscriber.

[0003] Card-type SIM cards that are inserted into IoT devices have long been used as SIMs to be attached to IoT devices, but in recent years, embedded subscriber identity modules (eSIMs), which are chip-type SIMs that are mounted directly on the circuit board of an IoT device, have also come into practical use.

[0004] The SIM installed in an IoT device has a SIM operating system (hereafter referred to as "OS"; OS is an abbreviation for Operating System) installed. When security or functionality improvements or bug fixes become necessary, the OS installed in the SIM must be updated.

[0005] SIM cards are removable from IoT devices, so the OS of the SIM card installed in the IoT device can be updated by replacing the SIM card installed in the IoT device with a SIM card that has the updated OS installed.

[0006] In contrast, an embedded SIM cannot be removed from an IoT device. Therefore, in the case of an embedded SIM, it is necessary to provide the IoT device with a mechanism for updating the OS of the embedded SIM. Patent Document 1 discloses an invention for updating the OS of an industrial computer, although it is not an invention for updating the OS of an embedded SIM. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] WO2019 / 207729 publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The processing speed of the processor in an embedded SIM is significantly slower than that of a typical computer or smartphone. For this reason, although the data size of the OS implemented in the embedded SIM is smaller than that of the OS in a typical computer, it takes time to update the OS. While the embedded SIM's OS is being updated, access to the embedded SIM is restricted, so if the OS update takes too long, update problems such as being unable to connect to the mobile communication network will occur.

[0009] Therefore, this application makes it possible to update the OS of an embedded SIM implemented in an IoT device without causing any update troubles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The first invention for solving the problem of the present application is an invention related to a system. The embedded SIM update system according to the first invention includes an embedded SIM, an IoT device that connects to a mobile communication network in cooperation with the embedded SIM, and a distribution server that stores update data for updating the operating system of the embedded SIM. The IoT device of the first invention is equipped with a process of downloading and storing the update data from the distribution server using a mobile communication module, and an update manager that executes a process of updating the operating system of the embedded SIM using the update data when an OS update condition is met that indicates a situation in which it can be determined that the IoT device is highly likely not to be used after the update data is stored. In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to set in the update manager, as the OS update condition, a time period in which it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used. Furthermore, in the first aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the time during which the IoT device is in an idle state is set in the update manager as the OS update condition.

[0011] The second invention that solves the problem of the present application relates to an IoT device that connects to a mobile communication network in cooperation with an embedded SIM. The IoT device of the second invention includes a process of using a mobile communication module to download update data for updating the operating system of the embedded SIM from a specified server and store it, and an update manager that, after storing the update data, executes a process of using the update data to update the operating system of the embedded SIM when an OS update condition is met that indicates a situation in which it can be determined that the IoT device is highly likely not to be used. In the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to set in the update manager, as the OS update condition, a time period in which it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used. Furthermore, in the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the time during which the IoT device is in an idle state is set in the update manager as the OS update condition.

[0012] A third invention for solving the problem of the present application relates to a computer program for operating a processor of an IoT device that connects to a mobile communication network in cooperation with an embedded SIM. The computer program of the third invention causes the processor to execute the following processes: using a mobile communication module to download and save update data that updates the operating system of the embedded SIM from a specified server; and when an OS update condition is met that indicates a situation in which it is highly likely that the IoT device will not be used after the update data is saved, using the update data to update the operating system of the embedded SIM. In the third aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a time period in which it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used is set in the update manager as the OS update condition. Furthermore, in the third aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the time during which the IoT device is in an idle state is set as the OS update condition in the update manager.

[0013] A fourth invention for solving the problem of the present application relates to a method executed by an IoT device that connects to a mobile communication network in cooperation with an embedded SIM. In the embedded SIM updating method of the fourth invention, the following steps are executed: step a) the IoT device uses a mobile communication module to download and store update data for updating the operating system of the embedded SIM from a specified server; and step b) when an OS update condition is met that indicates a situation in which it can be determined that the IoT device is highly likely not to be used after storing the update data, to update the operating system of the embedded SIM using the update data. In the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the OS update condition in step b is set to a time period during which it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used. Furthermore, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the OS update condition in step b is a time during which the IoT device is in an idle state. Effect of the Invention

[0014] In order to enable updating of the OS of an embedded SIM implemented in an IoT device without causing any update troubles, the present invention disclosed in this application is configured to update the OS of an embedded SIM implemented in an IoT device when it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] A diagram of the embedded SIM update system. [Diagram 2] Block diagram of an embedded SIM. [Diagram 3] Block diagram of an IoT device. [Figure 4] A diagram explaining the process performed by the update manager of an IoT device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an OS update process related to an embedded SIM. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] From here, the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this application will be described. The embodiments described below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents of the embodiments. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are schematic diagrams drawn to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embedded SIM update system 1 according to an embodiment. The embedded SIM update system 1 according to the embodiment is a system that updates an operating system 200 (OS: Operating System) of an embedded SIM 2 implemented in an IoT device 3. The embedded SIM update system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is at least composed of an IoT device 3 connected to a mobile communication network 50, an embedded SIM 2 (eSIM: embedded subscriber identity module) directly implemented on a board of the IoT device 3, and a distribution server 4 that stores update data 400 for updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2.

[0018] In this application, the IoT device 3 refers to a device that connects to the mobile communication network 50 in cooperation with the embedded SIM 2. In FIG. 1, the IoT device 3 is illustrated as a smartphone, but the IoT device 3 also includes industrial equipment such as a sensor device and a surveillance camera in addition to portable user equipment such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a wearable computer.

[0019] The embedded SIM 2 is a SIM that is directly mounted on a substrate of the IoT device 3. The embedded SIM 2 is provided in the form of an IC chip so that it can be directly mounted on a substrate of the IoT device 3. Note that the embedded SIM 2 according to the present application also includes an eUICC.

[0020] The distribution server 4 is a server having a function of storing update data 400 for updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 implemented in the IoT device 3 and distributing the update data 400 to the IoT device 3. The update data 400 stored in the distribution server 4 may be the entire OS 200 after updating, or may be a patch for updating a part of the OS 200. Note that, although the distribution server 4 is connected to the Internet 51 in FIG. 1, the distribution server 4 may be connected to a mobile communication network 50.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram of the embedded SIM 2 implemented in the IoT device 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the embedded SIM 2 implemented in the IoT device 3 includes a processor 20, a memory 22, and a SIM interface 21.

[0022] The SIM interface 21 is a circuit for communicating data with a device (here, an IoT device 3) in which an embedded SIM 2 is implemented. For example, the SIM interface 21 is a circuit that communicates in accordance with the ISO7816 standard.

[0023] The memory 22 included in the embedded SIM 2 is a device for storing data. The memory 22 included in the embedded SIM 2 includes a non-volatile memory (NVM) that can retain data even when the power is turned off. The memory 22 of the embedded SIM 2 may include a read only memory (ROM) in addition to the NVM. In the embodiment, the memory 22 included in the embedded SIM 2 stores an OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2. When the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 is updated, the OS 200 updated using the update data 400 is stored in the memory 22 included in the embedded SIM 2.

[0024] The processor 20 included in the embedded SIM 2 is a device that executes instructions included in a computer program and performs processing related to the computer program. In the embedded SIM 2 according to the embodiment, a computer program for updating the OS 200 stored in the memory 22 using update data 400 transmitted to the embedded SIM 2 is installed as a computer program for operating the processor 20. The processor 20 included in the embedded SIM 2 executes this computer program to function as an update agent 201 that updates the OS 200 stored in the memory 22 using the update data 400 transmitted to the embedded SIM 2.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an IoT device 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the IoT device 3 includes a processor 30, a memory 33, a mobile communication module 31, and a SIM communication module 32. The IoT device 3 also includes an embedded SIM 2.

[0026] The mobile communication module 31 included in the IoT device 3 is a circuit for performing data communication using the mobile communication network 50. For example, the mobile communication module 31 is a circuit for performing data communication in accordance with the 4G or 5G communication standard.

[0027] The SIM communication module 32 included in the IoT device 3 is a circuit for performing data communication with the embedded SIM 2. For example, the SIM communication module 32 is a circuit for performing data communication in accordance with the ISO7816 communication standard.

[0028] The memory 33 included in the IoT device 3 is a device for storing data. The memory 33 included in the IoT device 3 includes an NVM, which is a non-volatile memory that can retain data even when the power is turned off. In the embodiment, the memory 33 stores update data 400 downloaded from the distribution server 4.

[0029] The processor 30 included in the IoT device 3 is a device that executes instructions included in a computer program and performs processing related to the computer program. In the IoT device 3 according to the embodiment, a computer program is installed as a computer program that operates the processor 30, the computer program transmitting update data 400 stored in the memory 33 to the embedded SIM 2 and updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 implemented in the IoT device 3. The processor 30 included in the IoT device 3 functions as an update manager 300 that performs processing to update the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 implemented in the IoT device 3 by executing this computer program.

[0030] The process executed by the update manager 300 of the IoT device 3 will be described below, together with the description of the update method of the embedded SIM 2, which is the invention of the present application. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the process executed by the update manager 300 of the IoT device 3. The update manager 300 included in the IoT device 3 periodically accesses the distribution server 4 using the mobile communication module 31, and checks the update information of the embedded SIM 2 published by the distribution server 4 (step S1). The update manager 300 included in the IoT device 3 branches the process depending on whether or not there is update information of the embedded SIM 2 (step S2). If there is no update information of the embedded SIM 2, the update manager 300 included in the IoT device 3 ends the procedure of FIG. 4. If there is update information of the embedded SIM 2, the update manager 300 included in the IoT device 3 downloads update data 400 corresponding to the update information from the distribution server 4, and stores it in the memory 33 included in the IoT device 3 (step S3). When the update data 400 is downloaded, the update manager 300 included in the IoT device 3 checks whether an OS update condition is met, which indicates a situation in which it can be determined that the IoT device 3 is highly likely not to be used (step S4). If the OS update condition for the embedded SIM 2 is met, the update manager 300 included in the IoT device 3 executes an OS update process for updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 (step S5), and the procedure in FIG. 4 ends.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the OS update process related to the embedded SIM 2. When updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2, the update manager 300 included in the IoT device 3 uses the SIM communication module 32 to transmit an OS update command for updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 to the embedded SIM 2 (step S50). This OS update command includes the update data 400 stored in the memory 33 of the IoT device 3. When the update agent 201 of the embedded SIM 2 receives the OS update command for updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 using the SIM interface 21, the update agent 201 of the embedded SIM 2 uses the update data 400 included in the OS update command received from the IoT device 3 to update the OS 200 stored in the memory 22 of the embedded SIM 2 (step S51). When the update agent 201 of the embedded SIM 2 updates the OS 200 stored in the memory 22 of the embedded SIM 2, the update agent 201 of the embedded SIM 2 transmits a response to the OS update command received from the update manager 300 to the IoT device 3 using the SIM interface 21 (step S52). When the update manager 300 of the IoT device 3 receives a response to the OS update command for updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 using the SIM interface 21, the update manager 300 resets the embedded SIM 2 (step S53), and the procedure of FIG. 5 ends.

[0032] In the present invention, the update manager 300 included in the IoT device 3 is set with an OS update condition for the embedded SIM 2, which is referred to in step S4 of Fig. 4. If the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 is updated while the IoT device 3 is being used, update problems such as communication failure and failure to update the OS 200 may occur. Therefore, in the present invention, the OS update condition for updating the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 is set to a condition indicating a situation in which it can be determined that the IoT device 3 is highly likely not to be used.

[0033] Such an OS update condition for the embedded SIM 2 depends on the form of the IoT device 3. For example, if the IoT device 3 is a user device such as a smartphone, various functions of the user device can be used to determine various OS update conditions that indicate a situation in which it is highly likely that the user device will not be used.

[0034] For example, when using a clock function of a user device that measures time, a time period during which it is determined that the user device is unlikely to be used can be used as an OS update condition. Late-night hours (e.g., 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.) are times when the owner of the user device is asleep and it is likely that the user device will not be used. For this reason, late-night hours can be used as an OS update condition.

[0035] Furthermore, when using a timer function of the user device that measures time, the time during which the user device is in an idle state can be used as an OS update condition. By using the time during which the user device is in an idle state as an OS update condition, the OS200 of the embedded SIM2 can be updated according to the usage status of the user device, rather than at a pre-specified time. Note that the idle state means a state in which the user device is not being operated or is inactive. The time during which the user device is not being operated by the owner, the time when the screen is off, the time when data communication is not being performed, etc. can be used as the time during which the user device is in an idle state.

[0036] A situation where the user equipment does not move can also be considered as a situation where the user equipment is not being used. When the user equipment does not move, it can be determined that the user equipment is left on a desk or the like and is not carried by the owner. It can be determined whether the user equipment is moving or not from a change in the output of a position detection function or an acceleration detection function of the user equipment.

[0037] Furthermore, the functions of the user equipment used in a situation where it is determined that there is a high possibility that the IoT device 3 will not be used can be used as an OS update condition. For example, when the user equipment is charging, it can be determined that the user equipment is connected to a charger and the owner will not use the user equipment. Therefore, the fact that the charging function of the user equipment is being used can be used as an OS update condition for the embedded SIM 2.

[0038] In addition, if the user equipment is a notebook personal computer, when the lid of the notebook personal computer is closed, it can be determined that the IoT device 3 is not to be used. In this case, the notebook personal computer being closed can be used as a condition for updating the OS of the embedded SIM 2.

[0039] When the IoT device 3 is an industrial device, an OS update condition for the embedded SIM 2 that can determine that the industrial device is likely not to be used can be determined according to the use case of the industrial device. For example, in the use case of the industrial device, when the industrial device transmits predetermined data at regular time intervals, the transmission of the predetermined data can be used as an OS update condition for the embedded SIM 2. In the case of a smart meter, since the smart meter transmits power data to a predetermined server every 30 minutes, the OS 200 of the embedded SIM 2 implemented in the smart meter can be updated during the 30 minutes between the transmission of power data and the next transmission of power data.

[0040] In the present invention, regardless of the form of the IoT device 3, it is preferable to set multiple OS update conditions in the IoT device 3, and configure the update manager 300 to execute the OS update process of the embedded SIM 2 when any one of the multiple OS update conditions is satisfied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Embedded SIM update system 2 Embedded SIM 200 Operating Systems 201 Update Agent 3. IoT Devices 300 Update Manager 4. Distribution Server 400 Update Data

Claims

1. The present invention includes an embedded SIM, an IoT device that is connected to a mobile communication network in cooperation with the embedded SIM, and a distribution server that stores update data for updating an operating system of the embedded SIM, The IoT device includes a process of downloading the update data from the distribution server and storing the update data using a mobile communication module, and an update manager that executes a process of updating an operating system of the embedded SIM using the update data when an OS update condition indicating a state in which it can be determined that the IoT device is highly likely not to be used after storing the update data is established.

1. A system for updating an embedded SIM.

2. 2. The embedded SIM update system according to claim 1, wherein the update manager sets a time period during which it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used as the OS update condition.

3. 3. The embedded SIM update system according to claim 1, wherein the time during which the IoT device is in an idle state is set as the OS update condition in the update manager.

4. An IoT device that interfaces with an embedded SIM to a mobile communication network, comprising: A process of downloading update data for updating an operating system of the embedded SIM from a predetermined server using the mobile communication module and storing the update data; After storing the update data, when an OS update condition indicating a situation in which it is possible to determine that the IoT device is highly likely not to be used is established, a process of updating an operating system of the embedded SIM using the update data; An IoT device comprising an update manager running

5. The IoT device according to claim 4 , wherein a time period during which it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used is set in the update manager as the OS update condition.

6. The IoT device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a time during which the IoT device is in an idle state is set as the OS update condition in the update manager.

7. A computer program for operating a processor of an IoT device for connecting to a mobile communication network in cooperation with an embedded SIM, comprising: A process of downloading update data for updating an operating system of the embedded SIM from a predetermined server using the mobile communication module and storing the update data; After storing the update data, when an OS update condition indicating a situation in which it is possible to determine that the IoT device is highly likely not to be used is established, a process of updating an operating system of the embedded SIM using the update data; A computer program that causes the processor to execute the above steps.

8. The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the OS update condition is a time period in which it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used.

9. The computer program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the OS update condition is a time during which the IoT device is in an idle state.

10. 1. A method performed by an IoT device for connecting to a mobile communication network in cooperation with an embedded SIM, comprising: A step a) in which the IoT device uses a mobile communication module to download update data for updating the operating system of the embedded SIM from a predetermined server and store the update data; b) updating an operating system of the embedded SIM using the update data when an OS update condition is established, the OS update condition indicating a situation in which it can be determined that the IoT device is highly likely not to be used after storing the update data; An embedded SIM update method that performs the above.

11. The embedded SIM update method according to claim 10, wherein the OS update condition in step b is set to a time period during which it is determined that the IoT device is unlikely to be used.

12. 12. The method for updating an embedded SIM according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the OS update condition in step b is a time when the IoT device is in an idle state.

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