Cellular Subscription Transfer via Encrypted eSIM Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of purchasing a new user equipment (UE) requires pre-authentication with a cellular carrier, which is time-consuming and may pose a security risk due to the unencrypted transmission of personal information.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution eliminates the need for pre-authentication at the point of sale by transmitting order information to a set of servers, which then facilitates the activation and transfer of subscription services from an old UE to a new UE using encrypted authentication information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-authentication is performed at the point of sale, then the cellular carrier can verify the user's subscription eligibility, but the process takes a substantial amount of time causing user and sales representative impatience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-provisioning the new UE with activation credentials and configuration information at the point of sale, enabling the activation process to begin immediately without requiring time-consuming pre-authentication. The order information is transmitted to the cellular carrier system in advance, and the new UE is pre-configured with necessary authentication data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the authentication step from the point-of-sale process. Instead of completing full authentication at the store, the system separates verification into two phases: order placement at the store and actual authentication during activation. This removes the time-consuming pre-authentication barrier while maintaining security through encrypted credential transmission.
2Productivity
If authentication information is transmitted unencrypted during activation, then the process is simpler and faster, but security is compromised due to potential exposure of personal information
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of authentication information from unencrypted to encrypted form during transmission. The new UE transmits authentication credentials using encryption protocols, transforming the security parameter while maintaining the efficiency of the activation process. This resolves the contradiction by showing that encryption does not necessarily slow down the process when implemented in the activation phase rather than pre-authentication.
3Ease of operation
If a standalone activation flow is implemented without pre-authentication, then the user experience is improved and time is reduced, but additional authentication steps are required during activation using personal information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authentication process with the activation process itself, rather than requiring separate pre-authentication and activation steps. The new UE performs both functions in a unified flow where authentication credentials are transmitted and verified during the activation sequence, reducing the number of separate user actions required while maintaining security through encrypted communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A baseband processor includes a memory and is configured to transmit, to a cellular carrier, a request to activate the UE with the cellular carrier. The baseband processor is also configured to, in response to receiving an authentication request for authenticating a user of the UE, transmit, to the cellular carrier, information identifying another UE and authentication information for authenticating the user; obtain verification information transmitted to the other UE; transmit the verification information to the cellular carrier; and after transmitting the verification information to the cellular carrier, receive an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) subscription transferred from the other UE.