Electronic device for resetting subscriber identity module, and operating method therefor and storage medium

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101) comprises: one or more processors (120, 910, 920) including processing circuitry; and a memory (130) for storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: identify a system termination event for shutting down an operating system (OS) of the electronic device; check, on the basis of the system termination event, whether rebooting of the OS is required; and deactivate, on the basis of confirming that rebooting of the OS is required, embedded subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) (201; 930); and after deactivating the eSIMs, reboot the OS and reset the eSIMs. Other embodiments may be possible.

Description

Electronic device for resetting a subscriber identification module, and method of operation thereof and storage medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device for resetting a subscriber identity module (SIM), a method of operation thereof, and a storage medium.

[0002] An electronic device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) includes a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), and an authentication process is performed between the electronic device and a server of a mobile network operator (MNO), which is a telecommunications service provider, through a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) installed inside the UICC. The UICC may be referred to as a subscriber identity module (SIM) card in a global system for mobile communications (GSM) scheme, and may be referred to as a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) card in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) scheme, a long term evolution (LTE) scheme, and / or a new radio (NR) scheme.

[0003] UICC has evolved from the existing physical SIM form to the embedded SIM (eSIM) form. eSIM is a technology that enables network access without a physical SIM, and can be applied to various electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, wearable electronic devices (e.g., smart watches, earbuds, and / or smart rings), and / or IoT (internet of things) devices).

[0004] Typically, electronic devices containing eSIMs can reset the eSIM based on a cold reset method to resolve system errors or for initialization. A cold reset method, which completely powers off the eSIM and then powers it back on, can be an effective method for recovering from an abnormal state and ensuring the stability of the eSIM. When a cold reset method is used, the eSIM's memory cache is completely reset, and its internal hardware can be initialized.

[0005] The cold reset method completely cuts off power to the eSIM and then re-powers it. Repeated power cycling (power on and off) can cause thermal stress. This thermal stress can affect the lifespan of semiconductor devices, so the eSIM can also be affected by power cycling and may result in data loss. Furthermore, frequent power cycling can increase power consumption, shortening the battery life of electronic devices. Therefore, if necessary, using the cold reset method may require the addition of a separate circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout), to control the power supply to the eSIM.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101) may include one or more processors (120; 910; 920) including processing circuitry, and a memory (130) storing instructions.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to identify a system shutdown event to shut down an operating system (OS) of the electronic device.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to determine whether a reboot of the OS is required based on the system shutdown event.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to deactivate an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930) based on determining that a reboot of the OS is required.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to deactivate the eSIM, reboot the OS, and reset the eSIM.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of an electronic device (101) may include an operation of identifying a system shutdown event for shutting down an operating system (OS) of the electronic device.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include an operation of determining whether a reboot of the OS is required based on the system shutdown event.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include an action of deactivating an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930) based on determining that a reboot of the OS is required.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, after deactivating the eSIM, the method may include rebooting the OS and resetting the eSIM.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium storing at least one computer-readable instruction may be provided.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction, when executed individually or collectively by one or more processors (120) including processing circuitry of the electronic device (101), may cause the electronic device to perform at least one operation.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include an operation of identifying a system shutdown event for shutting down an operating system (OS) of the electronic device.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include an operation of determining whether a reboot of the OS is required based on the system shutdown event.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include disabling an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930) based on determining that a reboot of the OS is required.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include deactivating the eSIM, rebooting the OS, and resetting the eSIM.

[0021] FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device within a network environment according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 1b is a diagram illustrating a network environment including an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 is a timing diagram for explaining a cold reset operation.

[0024] Figure 3 is a timing diagram for explaining a warm reset operation.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating a case where a reset for an eSIM fails during a reboot operation of an electronic device.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a timing diagram for explaining a deactivated state of an eSIM according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a timing diagram for explaining an operation of disabling an eSIM in a reboot operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a power manager according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an operation of disabling an eSIM in a reboot operation of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an operation of disabling an eSIM in a reset operation of a communication processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, when describing an embodiment of the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of an embodiment of the present disclosure, such detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the terms described below are terms defined in consideration of the functions in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and these may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

[0033] It should be noted that the technical terms used in this specification are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. Alternatively, unless specifically defined otherwise herein, the technical terms used in this specification should be interpreted as having a meaning generally understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, and should not be interpreted in an excessively broad or narrow sense. Alternatively, if a technical term used in this specification is an incorrect technical term that does not accurately express the spirit of the present disclosure, it should be replaced with a technical term that can be correctly understood by a person skilled in the art. Alternatively, general terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure should be interpreted as defined in the dictionary or according to the context, and should not be interpreted in an excessively narrow sense.

[0034] Alternatively, the singular expressions used herein include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consist of" or "comprises" should not be construed to necessarily include all of the various components or various operations described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or some of the operations may not be included, or that additional components or operations may be included.

[0035] Alternatively, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., used herein may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component could be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component could also be referred to as a "first component."

[0036] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there may also be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0037] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. Alternatively, when describing an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a detailed description of a related known technology is determined to obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Alternatively, it should be noted that the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the spirit of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the spirit of the present disclosure by the attached drawings. The spirit of the present disclosure should be construed to extend to all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes other than the attached drawings.

[0038] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using an electronic device as an example, but the electronic device may also be referred to as a terminal, a mobile station, mobile equipment (ME), user equipment (UE), user terminal (UT), subscriber station (SS), wireless device, handheld device, or access terminal (AT). Alternatively, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may be a device having a communication function, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a wireless MODEM, or a laptop.

[0039] FIG. 1a is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device (101) within a network environment (100) according to one embodiment.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1A, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with an electronic device (104) or a server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) via the server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), a memory (130), an input module (150), an audio output module (155), a display module (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), a connection terminal (178), a haptic module (179), a camera module (180), a power management module (188), a battery (189), a communication module (190), a subscriber identification module (196), or an antenna module (197). In some embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (178)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., the sensor module (176), the camera module (180), or the antenna module (197)) may be integrated into one component (e.g., the display module (160)).

[0041] The processor (120) may, for example, execute software (e.g., a program (140)) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) and perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) may store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store result data in a non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together with the main processor (121). For example, when the electronic device (101) includes the main processor (121) and the auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a given function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0042] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, in the electronic device (101) itself where artificial intelligence is performed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0043] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., a processor (120) or a sensor module (176)) of the electronic device (101). The data can include, for example, software (e.g., a program (140)) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory (130) can include a volatile memory (132) or a non-volatile memory (134).

[0044] The program (140) may be stored as software in memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0045] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a processor (120)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The input module (150) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0046] The audio output module (155) can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device (101). The audio output module (155) can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. According to one embodiment, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0047] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling the device. In one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0048] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150), output sound through the sound output module (155), or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (101).

[0049] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating status (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device (101) or the external environmental status (e.g., user status) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected status. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0050] The interface (177) may support one or more designated protocols that may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device (101) with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102)). In one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0051] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0052] A haptic module (179) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0053] The camera module (180) can capture still images and videos. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0054] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented as, for example, at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0055] A battery (189) may power at least one component of the electronic device (101). In one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0056] The communication module (190) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102), the electronic device (104), or the server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may operate independently from the processor (120) (e.g., an application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module can communicate with an external electronic device (104) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can verify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0057] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). The NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (192) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in a high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) can support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.

[0058] The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

[0059] In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. In one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent a first side (e.g., a bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., a mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent a second side (e.g., a top side or a side side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high-frequency band.

[0060] At least some of the above components may be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0061] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server using machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0062] Electronic devices according to embodiments disclosed herein may take various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0063] The embodiments of this document and the terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiment. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the item, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0064] The term "module" used in one embodiment of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0065] An embodiment of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (136) or an external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the method according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between sellers and buyers as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or may be provided through an application store (e.g., Play Store). TM ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones), online distribution (e.g., downloading or uploading). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0067] According to one embodiment, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to one embodiment, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to one embodiment, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0068] FIG. 1b is a diagram illustrating a network environment (100) including an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 1b, a network according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electronic device (101), a first communication network (111a), and / or a second communication network (112a).

[0070] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may operate as a dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) electronic device or a dual SIM dual active (DSDA) electronic device that supports two subscriber identity modules (SIMs) in one device. For example, the electronic device (101) may include a first SIM (111) and an embedded SIM (eSIM) (201). The first SIM (111) may be a removable SIM (rSIM). For example, the electronic device (101) may be equipped with a SIM card. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the SIM card will be referred to as a SIM. The electronic device (101) may include a slot (not shown) to accommodate the first SIM (111). According to one embodiment, although not separately illustrated in FIG. 1A, the electronic device (101) may accommodate two or more SIMs. In this case, the electronic device (101) may include multiple slots for accommodating multiple SIMs.

[0071] For example, the first SIM (111) may be a SIM subscribed to a telecommunications carrier of the first communication network (111a). The electronic device (101) may receive wireless communication services by connecting to the first communication network (111a) using the first SIM (111). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include an eSIM (201). The eSIM may also be referred to as an embedded UICC (eUICC). The electronic device (101) may receive wireless communication services by connecting to the second communication network (112a) using the eSIM (201). The first communication network (111a) and the second communication network (112a) may be provided by the same telecommunications carrier, or may be provided by different telecommunications carriers.

[0072] Figure 2 is a timing diagram for explaining a cold reset operation.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 2, when an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B) is rebooted, a cold reset method may be applied to reset an eSIM (e.g., the eSIM (201) of FIG. 1B). The cold reset method may refer to a method of resetting an eSIM by stopping power supply to the eSIM and then supplying power to the eSIM again. The cold reset method may refer to a reset method performed for the first time after the eSIM is activated. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a reset operation based on the cold reset method will be referred to as a cold reset operation.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a cold reset operation (200) may be initiated by stopping power supply to the eSIM and then re-supplying power to the eSIM. In FIG. 2, the VCC signal (211) may be a signal associated with power supply to the eSIM, and when the state of the VCC signal (211) is low (L), power may not be supplied to the eSIM, and when the state of the VCC signal (211) is high (H), power may be supplied to the eSIM. In this way, after the state of the VCC signal (211) changes from the L state to the H state, the states of the CLK signal (213) associated with the clock (CLK) for the eSIM, the RST signal (215) associated with the reset (RST) of the eSIM, and the input / output (I / O) signal (217) associated with the reception of the signal (or command signal) of the eSIM may change.

[0075] First, the activation state of the eSIM may indicate a state in which interaction is possible between a communication processor (e.g., a processor) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1A) and the eSIM. An eSIM in the activation state may receive signals (or command signals) from the communication processor.

[0076] The communication processor can activate the eSIM by changing the state of the VCC signal (211) from the L state to the H state, changing the state of the CLK signal (213) from the L state to the clock signal providing state, setting the state of the RST signal (215) to the L state, and changing the I / O signal (217) to the receiving mode state capable of receiving a signal from the eSIM. In the cold reset operation (200), the state of the eSIM becoming the activated state can indicate that interaction between the eSIM and the communication processor is enabled, and thus, the eSIM is ready to be reset.

[0077] Setting the state of the VCC signal (211) to the H state may indicate that power is supplied to the eSIM, and setting the state of the I / O signal (217) to the H state may indicate that the eSIM is in a state where it is possible to reset. In Fig. 2, the eSIM may be in an activated state after time Ta.

[0078] The communication processor, which confirms that the eSIM is activated, can reset the eSIM by maintaining the state of the I / O signal (217) in the H state and changing the state of the RST signal (215) from the L state to the H state. Then, the eSIM can respond to the reset by transmitting an Answer to Reset signal to the I / O signal (217) and complete the reset of the eSIM.

[0079] Figure 3 is a timing diagram for explaining a warm reset operation.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 3, when an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B) is rebooted, a warm reset method may be applied to reset an eSIM (e.g., the eSIM (201) of FIG. 1B). The warm reset method may refer to a method of resetting an eSIM while power supply to the eSIM is maintained. The warm reset method may refer to a reset method other than a cold reset method. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a reset operation based on the warm reset method will be referred to as a warm reset operation.

[0081] A power manager (e.g., a power management module (188) of FIG. 1A) (e.g., a PMIC) that manages power supplied to an eSIM can use the same constant power as an application processor (e.g., a processor (120) of FIG. 1A). The constant power can be turned off according to an off operation by a user of the electronic device, and even if the electronic device is rebooted, the constant power can be maintained in an on state without being turned off. Accordingly, the state of the VCC signal associated with power supply to the eSIM can always be maintained in an H state due to the constant power.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 3, when a warm reset operation (300) is performed on an eSIM, a communication processor (e.g., a processor) (e.g., a processor (120) of FIG. 1A) may reset the eSIM by maintaining the state of the I / O signal (217) in an H state and changing the state of the RST signal (215) from an L state to an H state. Then, the communication processor may respond to the reset of the eSIM by changing the state of the I / O signal (217) to an L state, thereby deactivating the eSIM, and after a set time has elapsed, by changing the state of the I / O signal (217) from an L state to an H state again, thereby completing the reset of the eSIM.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating a case where a reset for an eSIM fails during a reboot operation of an electronic device.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 4, a warm reset method may be applied to reset an eSIM (e.g., an eSIM (201) of FIG. 1B) when an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B) is rebooted.

[0085] As described in FIG. 3, when a warm reset method is used, a power manager (e.g., a power management module (188) of FIG. 1A) (e.g., a PMIC) that manages power supplied to an eSIM can use the same constant power as an application processor (e.g., a processor (120) of FIG. 1A), and therefore, the state of the VCC signal (211) associated with power supply to the eSIM can always be maintained in the H state. However, when a warm reset method is used, even if the electronic device is rebooted, the reset of the eSIM may fail, and this will be described as follows.

[0086] When the electronic device is rebooted, the operation of the communication processor may also be terminated as the operating system (OS) of the electronic device is terminated (operation 411), and the CLK signal (213), the RST signal (215), and the I / O signal (217) may not be provided due to the termination of the operation of the communication processor (operation 413). In FIG. 4, operation 411 may be expressed as "Device Reboot Start, CP Reset Start", and operation 413 may be expressed as "Signal stopped". In this way, the states of the CLK signal (213), the RST signal (215), and the I / O signal (217) may all be set to the L state as the CLK signal (213), the RST signal (215), and the I / O signal (217) are not provided. As the reboot of the electronic device is initiated (e.g., as the reboot of the OS is initiated), the communication processor may also be rebooted, and the states of each of the CLK signal (213), the RST signal (215), and the I / O signal (217) may be set to reset the eSIM, and a warm reset operation for the eSIM may be performed (operation 415) based on the CLK signal (213), the RST signal (215), and the I / O signal (217). In FIG. 4, operation 415 may be expressed as “Warm Reset.”

[0087] However, when the operation of the communication processor is terminated, since all of the CLK signal (213), the RST signal (215), and the I / O signal (217) except the VCC signal (211) are not provided at the same time, the eSIM may become stuck and unable to operate (operation 417) without performing a warm reset operation for the eSIM. In FIG. 4, operation 417 may be expressed as "Stuck".

[0088] Accordingly, the present disclosure may provide an electronic device and an operating method thereof for resetting an eSIM so as to prevent (or minimize) malfunction of the eSIM by deactivating the eSIM before rebooting the electronic device.

[0089] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101) may include one or more processors (120; 910; 920) including processing circuitry, and a memory (130) storing instructions.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to identify a system shutdown event to shut down an operating system (OS) of the electronic device.

[0091] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to determine whether a reboot of the OS is required based on the system shutdown event.

[0092] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to deactivate an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930) based on determining that a reboot of the OS is required.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to deactivate the eSIM, reboot the OS, and reset the eSIM.

[0094] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to, at least as part of an operation of deactivating the eSIM, set a state of a first signal associated with power supply to the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM is powered, set a state of a second signal associated with reset of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM is not reset, set a state of a third signal associated with a clock (CLK) for the eSIM to a state such that the CLK is not provided to the eSIM, and set a state of a fourth signal associated with signal reception of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM refrains from receiving a signal from the one or more processors.

[0095] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to deactivate the eSIM after determining that signal exchange between the eSIM and the one or more processors has been completed or ceased, at least as part of the operation of deactivating the eSIM.

[0096] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to activate the eSIM, and after activating the eSIM, to reset the eSIM.

[0097] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to, at least as part of an operation of activating the eSIM, set a state of the first signal to a state that causes the eSIM to be powered, set a state of the second signal to a state that prevents the eSIM from being reset, set a state of the fourth signal to a state that enables the eSIM to receive signals from the one or more processors, and set a state of the third signal to a state that causes the CLK to be provided to the eSIM.

[0098] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to, at least as part of an operation of resetting the eSIM, set a state of the first signal to a state that causes the eSIM to be powered, set a state of the third signal to a state that causes the CLK to be provided to the eSIM, set a state of the fourth signal to a state that enables the eSIM to receive a signal from the one or more processors, set a state of the second signal to a state that causes the eSIM to be reset, and change a state of the fourth signal from a state that allows the eSIM to receive a signal from the one or more processors to a state that causes the eSIM to refrain from receiving a signal from the one or more processors.

[0099] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device may further include a power manager (188; 700) configured to supply constant power to the one or more processors and the eSIM.

[0100] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the deactivated eSIM may be unable to receive signals from the one or more processors.

[0101] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, may cause the electronic device to determine whether a reboot of the OS is required by, at least as part of the operation of determining whether a reboot of the OS is required, determining a cause for terminating the OS, which is included in the system shutdown event, and determining whether the cause for terminating the OS indicates that the OS is to be rebooted.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a timing diagram for explaining a deactivated state of an eSIM according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 5, a warm reset method may be applied to reset an eSIM (e.g., an eSIM (201) of FIG. 1B) when an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B) is rebooted. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of deactivating an eSIM before rebooting an electronic device may be provided so as to prevent (or minimize) malfunction of the eSIM after rebooting the electronic device.

[0104] A power manager (e.g., a power management module (188) of FIG. 1A) (e.g., a PMIC) that manages power supplied to an eSIM can use the same constant power as an application processor (e.g., a processor (120) of FIG. 1A). The constant power can be turned off according to an off operation by a user of the electronic device, and even if the electronic device is rebooted, the constant power can be maintained in an on state without being turned off. Accordingly, the state of the VCC signal (211) associated with power supply to the eSIM can always be maintained in an H state due to the constant power.

[0105] In one embodiment, a communication processor (e.g., a processor) (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1A) can ensure stability against reset of an eSIM by resetting the eSIM after performing a deactivation operation on the eSIM during a reboot operation of an electronic device. In one embodiment, when the deactivation operation (500) on the eSIM is performed, the eSIM may be in a deactivated state, and the deactivated state of the eSIM may indicate a state in which interaction between the communication processor and the eSIM is interrupted. An eSIM in a deactivated state cannot receive any signal (e.g., a command signal) from the communication processor.

[0106] The communication processor can change the state of the eSIM to the disabled state by changing the state of the RST signal (215) from the H state to the L state, changing the state of the CLK signal (213) from the H state to the L state, and changing the state of the I / O signal (217) from the H state to the L state. The state of the I / O signal (217) being the L state indicates that the interface between the communication processor and the eSIM is disabled, and therefore, the eSIM may be unable to receive signals (or command signals) from the communication processor.

[0107] In this way, after the eSIM is deactivated, the communication processor can be rebooted, and when the communication processor is rebooted, the state of the RST signal (215) is set to the L state, the state of the I / O signal (217) is set to the H state, and the state of the CLK signal (213) is set to the H state, thereby enabling the eSIM to be activated. As the eSIM is activated, the eSIM can interact with the communication processor, and thus, a state can be created in which it is possible to reset the eSIM.

[0108] In this way, after the eSIM is activated, the eSIM can be reset. In one embodiment, the communication processor can maintain the state of the I / O signal (217) in the H state while the eSIM is activated (e.g., the state of the VCC signal (211) is set to the H state, the state of the CLK signal (213) is set to the H state, and the state of the RST signal (215) is set to the L state), and can reset the eSIM by changing the state of the RST signal (215) from the L state to the H state. Then, the communication processor can deactivate the eSIM by changing the state of the I / O signal (217) from the H state to the L state in response to the reset of the eSIM, and can complete the reset of the eSIM by changing the state of the I / O signal (217) from the L state to the H state again after a set period of time has elapsed.

[0109] FIG. 6 is a timing diagram for explaining an operation of disabling an eSIM in a reboot operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 6, a warm reset method may be applied to reset an eSIM (e.g., an eSIM (201) of FIG. 1B) when an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B) is rebooted.

[0111] As described in FIG. 5, when a warm reset method is used, a power manager (e.g., a power management module (188) of FIG. 1A) (e.g., a PMIC) that manages power supplied to the eSIM can use the same constant power as the application processor (e.g., a processor (120) of FIG. 1A), and therefore, the state of the VCC signal (211) associated with power supply to the eSIM can always be maintained in the H state.

[0112] When an electronic device is rebooted, a communication processor (e.g., a processor) (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1A) may check for a system shutdown event for terminating the OS. If the cause of the OS shutdown included in the system shutdown event indicates that the OS is being rebooted, the communication processor may determine that a reboot of the OS is required (operation 611). In FIG. 6, operation 611 may be expressed as "Device Reboot Start, CP Reset Start."

[0113] The communication processor, upon determining that a reboot of the OS is required, may deactivate the eSIM (operation 613) before initiating a reboot of the electronic device (e.g., before initiating a reboot of the OS). In FIG. 6, operation 613 may be expressed as "Deactivation." In this way, as deactivating the eSIM is required, the communication processor may change the state of the eSIM to a deactivated state by changing the state of the RST signal (215) from an H state to an L state, changing the state of the CLK signal (213) from an H state to an L state, and changing the state of the I / O signal (217) from an H state to an L state, as described in FIG. 5.

[0114] In this way, after the eSIM is deactivated, when a reboot of the electronic device is initiated (e.g., when a reboot of the OS is initiated), the communication processor may also be rebooted (operation 615). In FIG. 6, operation 615 may be expressed as “Reboot.” When the communication processor is rebooted, the communication processor may change the state of the eSIM from a deactivated state to an activated state (operation 617). In FIG. 6, operation 617 may be expressed as “Activation.” In one embodiment, the processor may activate the eSIM by setting the state of the RST signal (215) to an L state, setting the state of the I / O signal (217) to an H state, and setting the state of the CLK signal (213) to an H state. As the eSIM is activated, the eSIM may interact with the communication processor, thereby enabling a state in which the eSIM can be reset.

[0115] In this way, after the eSIM is activated, the eSIM can be reset (operation 619). In FIG. 6, operation 619 may be expressed as "Warm Reset". In one embodiment, the communication processor may maintain the state of the I / O signal (217) in the H state while the eSIM is activated (e.g., the state of the VCC signal (211) is set to the H state, the state of the CLK signal (213) is set to the H state, and the state of the RST signal (215) is set to the L state), and may reset the eSIM by changing the state of the RST signal (215) from the L state to the H state. Then, the communication processor may deactivate the eSIM by changing the state of the I / O signal (217) from the H state to the L state in response to the reset of the eSIM, and may complete the reset of the eSIM by changing the state of the I / O signal (217) from the L state to the H state again after a set period of time has elapsed.

[0116] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a power manager according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 7, a power manager (700) (e.g., a power management module (188) of FIG. 1A) (e.g., a PMIC) can supply power to various hardware components, such as an application processor, a sensor hub IC, a GPS IC, and / or an eSIM (e.g., an eSIM (201) of FIG. 1B). The power manager (700) can enable the eSIM to use the same constant power as the application processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1A), and thus, the state of the VCC signal associated with power supply to the eSIM can always be maintained in the H state.

[0118] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 8, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B) (e.g., one or more processors including processing circuitry (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1A)) may, at operation 811, detect a system shutdown event to shut down an operating system (OS) of the electronic device. In one embodiment, the system shutdown event may include a cause for shutting down the OS. In one embodiment, the cause for shutting down the OS may vary and may include, but is not limited to, a software update (e.g., an over-the-air (OTA) update or firmware over the air (FOTA)), and / or a device reset by a user (e.g., a factory reset).

[0120] An electronic device that has identified a system shutdown event can, in operation 813, determine whether an OS reboot is required based on the system shutdown event. In one embodiment, the electronic device can determine whether an OS reboot is required by determining whether the cause of the OS shutdown included in the system shutdown event is a cause requiring an OS reboot. For example, a software update or a device reset by a user may be a cause requiring an OS reboot.

[0121] If the verification result indicates that rebooting the OS is required (operation 813-Yes), the electronic device may deactivate the eSIM in operation 815. In one embodiment, the electronic device may deactivate the eSIM by setting a state of a first signal associated with power supply to the eSIM to a state such that power is supplied to the eSIM, setting a state of a second signal associated with reset of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM is not reset, setting a state of a third signal associated with a clock (CLK) for the eSIM to a state such that CLK is not provided to the eSIM, and setting a state of a fourth signal associated with signal (or command signal) reception of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM refrains from receiving signals (or command signals) from one or more processors (e.g., a communication processor). In one embodiment, a first signal associated with power supply to the eSIM may be a VCC signal, and when the state of the first signal is set to an H state, power may be supplied to the eSIM. In one embodiment, a second signal associated with reset of the eSIM may be a RST signal, and when the state of the second signal is set to an L state, the eSIM may not be reset. In one embodiment, a third signal associated with a CLK for the eSIM may be a CLK signal, and when the state of the third signal is set to an L state, the CLK may not be provided to the eSIM. In one embodiment, a fourth signal associated with reception of a signal (or command signal) by the eSIM may be an I / O signal, and when the state of the fourth signal is set to an L state, the eSIM may refrain from receiving a signal (or command signal) from one or more processors (e.g., a communication processor). In one embodiment, the electronic device may deactivate the eSIM after determining that the exchange of signals (or command signals) between the eSIM and one or more processors is completed or terminated.The operation of disabling eSIM may be similar or substantially the same as that described in FIG. 5, and therefore, its redundant description may be omitted here.

[0122] The electronic device that has disabled the eSIM may, at operation 817, reboot the OS and reset the eSIM. At operation 817, the electronic device may, after disabling the eSIM, enable the eSIM and then reset the eSIM. In one embodiment, the electronic device may enable the eSIM by setting the state of the first signal to a state that supplies power to the eSIM, setting the state of the second signal to a state that prevents the eSIM from being reset, setting the state of the fourth signal to a state that enables the eSIM to receive signals (or command signals) from one or more processors, and setting the state of the third signal to a state that allows the eSIM to be provided with a CLK. In one embodiment, when the state of the first signal is set to an H state, the eSIM may be powered. In one embodiment, when the state of the second signal is set to an L state, the eSIM may not be reset. In one embodiment, when the state of the fourth signal is set to the H state, the eSIM may be capable of receiving signals (or command signals) from one or more processors. In one embodiment, when the state of the third signal is set to the H state, a CLK may be provided to the eSIM.

[0123] In one embodiment, the electronic device can reset the eSIM by setting the state of the first signal to a state that powers the eSIM, setting the state of the third signal to a state that provides a CLK to the eSIM, setting the state of the fourth signal to a state that enables the eSIM to receive a signal (or a command signal) from one or more processors, setting the state of the second signal to a state that resets the eSIM, and changing the state of the fourth signal from a state that enables the eSIM to receive a signal from the one or more processors to a state that prevents the eSIM from receiving a signal from the one or more processors. In one embodiment, when the state of the first signal is an H state, power can be supplied to the eSIM. In one embodiment, when the state of the third signal is an H state, CLK can be provided to the eSIM. In one embodiment, when the state of the fourth signal is an H state, the eSIM can be enabled to receive a signal (or a command signal) from one or more processors. In one embodiment, the eSIM may be reset when the state of the second signal is in the H state. In one embodiment, the eSIM may refrain from receiving signals from one or more processors when the state of the fourth signal is in the L state.

[0124] If the verification result indicates that a reboot of the OS is not required (action 813-No), the electronic device may, in action 819, shut down the OS.

[0125] FIG. 9 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an operation of disabling an eSIM in a reboot operation of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 9, the application processor (910) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1A) may, at operation 911, identify a system shutdown event for shutting down an operating system (OS) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1A or 1B). In one embodiment, the system shutdown event may include a cause for shutting down the OS. In one embodiment, the cause for shutting down the OS may vary and may include, but is not limited to, software updates (e.g., over-the-air (OTA) updates or firmware over the air (FOTA) updates), and / or device resets by a user (e.g., factory reset).

[0127] The application processor (910) that has identified a system shutdown event may, in operation 913, determine whether an OS reboot is required based on the system shutdown event. In one embodiment, the application processor (910) may determine whether an OS reboot is required by determining whether the cause of the OS shutdown included in the system shutdown event is a cause requiring an OS reboot. For example, a software update or a device reset by a user may be a cause requiring an OS reboot.

[0128] If the verification result indicates that rebooting the OS is required (operation 913 - Yes), the application processor (910) may, in operation 915, transmit a first command signal requesting deactivation of the eSIM (930) (e.g., the eSIM (201) of FIG. 1B) to the communication processor (920) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1A). In one embodiment, the first command signal may be a command signal requesting setting (or changing) the state of the eSIM (930) to a deactivated state. In one embodiment, the deactivated state of the eSIM (930) may indicate a state in which no command signal can be received from the communication processor (920). The deactivated state of the eSIM (930) may be implemented similarly or substantially similarly to that described in FIG. 8, and thus, a redundant description thereof may be omitted herein.

[0129] The communication processor (920), which has received a first command signal requesting deactivation of the eSIM (930) from the application processor (910), may, at operation 917, confirm that deactivation of the eSIM (930) is requested and perform a deactivation operation on the eSIM (930). The deactivation operation on the eSIM (930) performed by the communication processor (920) may be implemented similarly or substantially similarly to that described in FIG. 8, and thus, a redundant description thereof may be omitted herein.

[0130] As the communication processor (920) performs a deactivation operation on the eSIM (930), the eSIM (930) may be deactivated at operation 919.

[0131] Meanwhile, the application processor (910) that has transmitted a first command signal requesting deactivation of the eSIM (930) may, in operation 921, transmit a second command signal requesting reset of the communication processor (920) and the eSIM (930) to the communication processor (920) and reboot the OS.

[0132] The communication processor (920), which receives a second command signal requesting a reset of the communication processor (920) and the eSIM (930) from the application processor (910), may perform a reset operation on the eSIM (930) at operation 923, and then perform the reset operation. The reset operation on the eSIM (930) performed by the communication processor (920) may be implemented similarly or substantially similarly to that described in FIG. 8, and thus, a redundant description thereof may be omitted herein.

[0133] As the communication processor (920) performs a reset operation on the eSIM (930), the eSIM (930) may be reset at operation 925.

[0134] Meanwhile, if the result of the check in operation 913 indicates that rebooting the OS is not required (operation 913-No), the application processor (910) may terminate the OS in operation 927.

[0135] In FIG. 9, the operation of deactivating the eSIM is described as an example in which the application processor (910) and the communication processor (920) are implemented as separate processors, but the application processor (910) and the communication processor (920) may be integrated into a single processor. In the case where the application processor (910) and the communication processor (920) are integrated into a single processor, the operation of transmitting and receiving command signals between the application processor (910) and the communication processor (920) may be omitted.

[0136] FIG. 10 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an operation of disabling an eSIM in a reset operation of a communication processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 10, the application processor (910) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1A) may, in operation 1011, identify a setting application event for applying the settings of a telecommunications provider. In one embodiment, the setting application event may include an event in which the settings of a telecommunications provider are applied upon the first booting of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B), and / or an event in which the settings of a telecommunications provider are applied upon the profile of an eSIM (930) (e.g., the eSIM (201) of FIG. 1B) being set (or changed).

[0138] The application processor (910) that has confirmed the setting application event may, in operation 1013, transmit a third command signal requesting the communication processor (920) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1A) to apply the settings of the communication service provider. The communication processor (920) that has received the third command signal requesting the application of the settings of the communication service provider from the application processor (910) may confirm that the communication processor (920) is required to be reset in order to apply the settings of the communication service provider. When the communication processor (920) is required to be reset, the communication processor (920) may, in operation 1015, transmit a fourth command signal notifying the application processor (910) that the communication processor (920) is required to be reset.

[0139] The application processor (910), which has received a fourth command signal from the communication processor (920) indicating that the communication processor (920) is required to be reset, may transmit a first command signal requesting deactivation of the eSIM (930) to the communication processor (920) in operation 1017. In one embodiment, the first command signal may be a command signal requesting setting (or changing) the state of the eSIM (930) to a deactivated state. In one embodiment, the deactivated state of the eSIM (930) may indicate a state in which no command signal can be received from the communication processor (920). The deactivated state of the eSIM (930) may be implemented similarly or substantially similarly to that described in FIG. 8, and thus, a redundant description thereof may be omitted herein.

[0140] The communication processor (920), which has received a first command signal requesting deactivation of the eSIM (930) from the application processor (910), may, in operation 1019, confirm that deactivation of the eSIM (930) is requested and perform a deactivation operation on the eSIM (930). The deactivation operation on the eSIM (930) performed by the communication processor (920) may be implemented similarly or substantially similarly to that described in FIG. 8, and thus, a redundant description thereof may be omitted herein.

[0141] As the communication processor (920) performs a deactivation operation on the eSIM (930), the eSIM (930) may be deactivated in operation 1021.

[0142] Meanwhile, the application processor (910) that transmitted the first command signal requesting deactivation of the eSIM (930) may, in operation 1023, transmit a second command signal to the communication processor (920) requesting reset of the communication processor (920) and the eSIM (930).

[0143] The communication processor (920), which receives a second command signal requesting a reset of the communication processor (920) and the eSIM (930) from the application processor (910), may perform a reset operation on the eSIM (930) at operation 1025, and then perform the reset operation. The reset operation on the eSIM (930) performed by the communication processor (920) may be implemented similarly or substantially similarly to that described in FIG. 8, and thus, a redundant description thereof may be omitted herein.

[0144] As the communication processor (920) performs a reset operation on the eSIM (930), the eSIM (930) may be reset at operation 1027.

[0145] In FIG. 10, the operation of deactivating the eSIM is described as an example in which the application processor (910) and the communication processor (920) are implemented as separate processors, but the application processor (910) and the communication processor (920) may be integrated into a single processor. In the case where the application processor (910) and the communication processor (920) are integrated into a single processor, the operation of transmitting and receiving command signals between the application processor (910) and the communication processor (920) may be omitted.

[0146] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of an electronic device (101) may include an operation of identifying a system shutdown event for shutting down an operating system (OS) of the electronic device.

[0147] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include an operation of determining whether a reboot of the OS is required based on the system shutdown event.

[0148] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include an action of deactivating an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930) based on determining that a reboot of the OS is required.

[0149] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, after deactivating the eSIM, the method may include rebooting the OS and resetting the eSIM.

[0150] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of deactivating the eSIM may include: setting a state of a first signal associated with power supply to the eSIM to a state such that power is supplied to the eSIM; setting a state of a second signal associated with reset of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM is not reset; setting a state of a third signal associated with a clock (CLK) for the eSIM to a state such that CLK is not provided to the eSIM; and setting a state of a fourth signal associated with signal reception of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM refrains from receiving signals from the one or more processors.

[0151] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the act of deactivating the eSIM may include an act of deactivating the eSIM after confirming that signal exchange between the eSIM and the one or more processors is completed or stopped.

[0152] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of resetting the eSIM may include an operation of activating the eSIM, and an operation of resetting the eSIM after activating the eSIM.

[0153] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the act of activating the eSIM may include an act of setting a state of the first signal to a state that allows power to be supplied to the eSIM, an act of setting a state of the second signal to a state that prevents the eSIM from being reset, an act of setting a state of the fourth signal to a state that allows the eSIM to receive signals from the one or more processors, and an act of setting a state of the third signal to a state that allows the CLK to be provided to the eSIM.

[0154] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of resetting the eSIM may include an operation of setting a state of the first signal to a state that allows the power to be supplied to the eSIM, an operation of setting a state of the third signal to a state that allows the CLK to be provided to the eSIM, an operation of setting a state of the fourth signal to a state that allows the eSIM to receive signals from the one or more processors, an operation of setting a state of the second signal to a state that allows the eSIM to be reset, and an operation of changing a state of the fourth signal from a state that allows the eSIM to receive signals from the one or more processors to a state that allows the eSIM to refrain from receiving signals from the one or more processors.

[0155] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more processors and the eSIM may be supplied with constant power.

[0156] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the deactivated eSIM may be unable to receive signals from the one or more processors.

[0157] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of determining whether a reboot of the OS is required may include the operation of determining a cause for terminating the OS, which is included in the system shutdown event, and the operation of determining whether a reboot of the OS is required by determining whether the cause for terminating the OS indicates that the OS is being rebooted.

[0158] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium storing at least one computer-readable instruction may be provided.

[0159] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction, when executed individually or collectively by one or more processors (120) including processing circuitry of the electronic device (101), may cause the electronic device to perform at least one operation.

[0160] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include an operation of identifying a system shutdown event for shutting down an operating system (OS) of the electronic device.

[0161] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include an operation of determining whether a reboot of the OS is required based on the system shutdown event.

[0162] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include disabling an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930) based on determining that a reboot of the OS is required.

[0163] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include deactivating the eSIM, rebooting the OS, and resetting the eSIM.

[0164] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of deactivating the eSIM may include: setting a state of a first signal associated with power supply to the eSIM to a state such that power is supplied to the eSIM; setting a state of a second signal associated with reset of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM is not reset; setting a state of a third signal associated with a clock (CLK) for the eSIM to a state such that CLK is not provided to the eSIM; and setting a state of a fourth signal associated with signal reception of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM refrains from receiving signals from the one or more processors.

Claims

1. In an electronic device (101), One or more processors (120; 910; 920) comprising processing circuitry; and A memory (130) for storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: Check for a system shutdown event to shut down the operating system (OS) of the electronic device, Based on the above system shutdown event, determine whether rebooting the OS is required, Based on the determination that a reboot of the above OS is required, the embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930) is disabled, and The electronic device causing the OS to reboot and reset the eSIM after disabling the eSIM.

2. In paragraph 1, The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: Setting the state of the first signal associated with power supply to the eSIM to a state that supplies power to the eSIM, Set the state of the second signal associated with the reset of the eSIM to a state that prevents the eSIM from being reset, Setting the state of a third signal associated with a clock (clock: CLK) for the eSIM to a state such that CLK is not provided to the eSIM, and The electronic device causing the state of the fourth signal associated with signal reception of the eSIM to be set to a state that causes the eSIM to refrain from receiving signals from the one or more processors.

3. In paragraph 2, The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: An electronic device that causes the eSIM to be deactivated after confirming that the signal exchange between the eSIM and the one or more processors is completed or interrupted.

4. In paragraph 2 or 3, The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to perform at least as part of an operation of resetting the eSIM: Activate the eSIM, and An electronic device that causes the eSIM to be reset after activating the eSIM.

5. In paragraph 4, The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to: Set the state of the first signal to a state in which the power is supplied to the eSIM, Set the state of the second signal to a state that prevents the eSIM from being reset, Setting the state of the fourth signal to a state that enables the eSIM to receive signals from one or more processors, and The electronic device causing the state of the third signal to be set to a state such that the CLK is provided to the eSIM.

6. In paragraph 5, The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to perform at least as part of an operation of resetting the eSIM: Set the state of the first signal to a state in which the power is supplied to the eSIM, Set the state of the third signal to a state in which the CLK is provided to the eSIM, Set the state of the fourth signal to a state that enables the eSIM to receive signals from one or more processors, Setting the state of the second signal to a state that causes the eSIM to be reset, and The electronic device causing the state of the fourth signal to change from a state that enables the eSIM to receive signals from the one or more processors to a state that prevents the eSIM from receiving signals from the one or more processors.

7. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, The electronic device further comprising a power manager (188; 700) configured to supply constant power to the one or more processors and the eSIM.

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, The electronic device wherein the deactivated eSIM is incapable of receiving signals from the one or more processors.

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to determine whether a reboot of the OS is required, at least as part of: Check the cause of the OS shutdown included in the above system shutdown event, and An electronic device that causes the OS to be rebooted by determining whether the cause of the OS shutdown indicates that the OS is being rebooted.

10. In the method of electronic device (101), An action to identify a system shutdown event to shut down the operating system (OS) of the electronic device; An action to determine whether a reboot of the OS is required based on the above system shutdown event; Based on determining that a reboot of the above OS is required, an action to disable the embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930); and The method comprising the steps of deactivating the eSIM, rebooting the OS, and resetting the eSIM.

11. In paragraph 10, The steps to disable the eSIM are: An action of setting a state of a first signal associated with power supply to the eSIM to a state such that power is supplied to the eSIM; An action of setting the state of a second signal associated with the reset of the eSIM to a state such that the eSIM is not reset; An operation of setting the state of a third signal associated with a clock (CLK) for the eSIM to a state such that CLK is not provided to the eSIM; and The method comprising an action of setting a state of a fourth signal associated with signal reception of the eSIM to a state that causes the eSIM to refrain from receiving signals from the one or more processors.

12. In paragraph 11, The steps to disable the eSIM are: The method comprising the action of deactivating the eSIM after confirming that the signal exchange between the eSIM and the one or more processors is completed or stopped.

13. In paragraph 11 or 12, The steps to reset the eSIM are: An action to activate the eSIM; and The method comprising the action of resetting the eSIM after activating the eSIM.

14. In paragraph 13, The steps to activate the above eSIM are: An action of setting the state of the first signal to a state such that power is supplied to the eSIM; An action to set the state of the second signal to a state such that the eSIM is not reset; An operation of setting the state of the fourth signal to a state that enables the eSIM to receive signals from one or more processors; and The method comprising an action of setting the state of the third signal to a state such that the CLK is provided to the eSIM.

15. In a storage medium storing at least one instruction readable by a computer, The at least one instruction, when executed individually or collectively by one or more processors (120) comprising processing circuitry of the electronic device (101), causes the electronic device to perform at least one operation; At least one of the above actions: An action to identify a system shutdown event to shut down the operating system (OS) of the electronic device; An action to determine whether a reboot of the OS is required based on the above system shutdown event; Based on determining that a reboot of the above OS is required, an action to disable the embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) (201; 930); and The storage medium comprising an operation of rebooting the OS and resetting the eSIM after deactivating the eSIM.

Images