Cellular Credential Transfer Mechanism for SIM and eSIM
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for transferring cellular services associated with SIMs and eSIMs between wireless devices are inefficient, particularly during initial setup or restoration, due to the need for multiple network interactions and the inclusion of disabled SIMs/eSIMs, which prolongs the process.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves mechanisms for efficiently transferring cellular services by restricting the transfer of non-transferable SIMs/eSIMs, using proximity-based or online network connections, and optimizing the process by determining transferability beforehand, allowing for selection by the user and reducing network scanning and interaction times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all SIMs/eSIMs including disabled ones are transferred, then completeness of service transfer is improved, but transfer time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and excludes non-transferable SIMs/eSIMs from the transfer process. The system identifies which SIMs/eSIMs cannot be transferred and removes them from the transfer queue, allowing the transfer process to continue with only transferable credentials. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining transfer completeness for transferable items while eliminating time-wasting operations on non-transferable items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary determination of transferability status for each SIM/eSIM before initiating the transfer process. By checking which SIMs/eSIMs are transferable in advance and presenting this information to the user, the system avoids attempting to transfer non-transferable items, thereby reducing overall transfer time while maintaining completeness for transferable credentials.
2Reliability
If multiple SIMs/eSIMs are transferred sequentially with network scanning for each, then transfer completeness is improved, but transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple network scanning operations into a single consolidated scanning process. Instead of scanning the cellular network separately for each SIM/eSIM, the system performs one network scan to establish connectivity, then uses that connection for subsequent entitlement procedures for multiple SIMs/eSIMs. This significantly improves transfer efficiency while maintaining complete transfer of all transferable credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous network connection throughout the transfer process. After establishing an initial network connection, the system keeps this connection active and reusable for subsequent SIM/eSIM transfers, rather than repeatedly scanning and re-establishing connections. This continuous useful action eliminates redundant scanning operations and improves overall transfer efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If entitlement procedures are performed for each SIM/eSIM separately, then authorization accuracy is improved, but total transfer time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of transferability status for each SIM/eSIM before initiating the transfer process. By checking which SIMs/eSIMs are transferable in advance and presenting this information to the user, the system avoids attempting to transfer non-transferable items, thereby reducing overall transfer time while maintaining completeness for transferable credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the established network connection and authentication context as a reusable template for subsequent SIM/eSIM transfers. Once the device is authenticated on the network, this authentication state is copied and reused for entitlement procedures with multiple MNO servers, eliminating the need to repeat the full authentication sequence for each SIM/eSIM while maintaining authorization accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
This Application describes mechanisms to transfer cellular service plans and associated credentials efficiently between wireless devices. Information regarding transferability of cellular services for SIMs/eSIMs to a wireless device are obtained from locally stored or remotely accessible cellular service information and/or associated mobile network operator (MNO) information. Access to network-based servers to determine transferability and/or to effect transfer can use non-cellular connections when available. Transferability information can be presented to a user to narrow selection of cellular service plans to transfer.