Reclaiming Provisioned Credentials on User Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication network standards do not allow for the short-term assignment and subsequent reclamation of subscription credentials provisioned to user equipment (UEs), leading to unnecessary accumulation of unused credentials in both network databases and UE memory, which increases complexity, costs, and the risk of unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
The proposed methods and apparatus enable the reclamation of previously provisioned SIM or eSIM credentials from UEs by using techniques such as credential validity timers, release command-based approaches, user-initiated deletion, and Mobile Device Management (MDM) methodologies, allowing these credentials to be reused or repurposed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If subscription credentials are assigned and maintained by the same user indefinitely, then user access reliability is improved, but credential accumulation increases network complexity and storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static credential assignment model into a dynamic one by introducing time-limited credentials that can be automatically revoked and reassigned. The system moves from permanent assignment to temporary assignment with automatic reclamation, allowing credentials to flow dynamically between users based on time expiration rather than permanent binding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements credential reclamation mechanisms that automatically discard expired credentials from user equipment and recover them to the network database. This allows the system to discard outdated credentials and recover reusable ones, preventing indefinite accumulation while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If subscription credentials are permanently maintained in network databases, then user authentication reliability is improved, but storage costs and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated credential reclamation that discards expired credentials from the network database and recovers them for reuse. This reduces the total quantity of credentials stored in the network while maintaining authentication reliability through proper credential management and revocation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of credential validity from permanent to time-limited. By introducing expiration dates and validity periods, the system reduces the cumulative quantity of credentials that need to be stored indefinitely, while maintaining security through controlled reissue procedures.
3Productivity
If credentials are assigned for short-term use, then credential reuse efficiency is improved, but user access stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic credential validity periods that balance short-term reuse efficiency with access stability. Credentials are assigned for specific time durations that allow reuse while providing users with stable access during their authorized period, creating a dynamic equilibrium between efficiency and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary credential assignment with pre-defined expiration times. This allows the system to prepare and manage credential lifecycles in advance, ensuring both efficient reuse and stable user access by establishing clear temporal boundaries before credentials are issued.
4Adaptability or versatility
If unused credentials accumulate in UE memory, then credential availability for future use is improved, but device memory consumption and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements credential reclamation at the user equipment level, where expired credentials are automatically discarded from UE memory and recovered to the network. This maintains credential availability through proper management while reducing local memory consumption by removing unused credentials.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for managing user subscription credentials provisioned to user equipment (UEs) and to be released at some future time for reuse and repurposing are disclosed. The methods and apparatus allow previously provisioned UE credentials to be deleted from both the UEs and from the wireless network components that manage and maintain the UE credentials. Four specific methods and apparatus for provisioning UEs with SIM credentials and reclaiming of provisioned credentials are described in detail: (1) a validity timer-based approach to provisioning UEs with SIM credentials and reclaiming of provisioned credentials; (2) a release command-based approach to provisioning UEs with SIM credentials and reclaiming of provisioned credentials; (3) a user-initiated release of previously provisioned SIM credentials; and (4) a Mobile Device Management (MDM) methodology-based approach to provisioning UEs with SIM credentials and reclaiming of provisioned credentials.