Direct eSIM Transfer Preserving ICCID to Reduce Provisioning Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transferring an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) between mobile wireless devices require a new integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID) value, incurring extra time and cost for cellular wireless service provisioning and account management.

Innovation Solution

Transfer of an eSIM with a unique associated ICCID value directly between a source and target mobile wireless device, using secure encrypted connections and a mobile network operator (MNO) provisioning server, without changing the ICCID value or requiring billing account updates, and utilizing multi-factor authentication and PIN codes for security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a new ICCID value is assigned for a new eSIM on the receiving mobile wireless device, then the eSIM can be transferred to a different device, but extra time and cost for cellular wireless service provisioning and account management is incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveeSIM transfer capabilityVSAvoidprovisioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-provisioning the eSIM on the source device and maintaining its ICCID value. When transfer is initiated, the eSIM is already configured and ready, eliminating the need for time-consuming new provisioning processes at the target device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The MNO provisioning server acts as an intermediary that facilitates the eSIM transfer by receiving transfer requests, validating the source device's eSIM, and delivering it to the target device while preserving the original ICCID value, thus streamlining the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a new ICCID value is assigned for a new eSIM on the receiving mobile wireless device, then the eSIM can be transferred to a different device, but extra cost for cellular wireless service provisioning and account management is incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveeSIM transfer capabilityVSAvoidprovisioning cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding the existing eSIM and ICCID when transferring to a new device, the system recovers and reassigns the same eSIM and ICCID to the target device. This eliminates the need to provision a new eSIM, thereby reducing costs associated with new service setup and account management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If secure encrypted connections and multi-factor authentication are implemented for eSIM transfer, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer securityVSAvoidauthentication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service authentication mechanisms where the devices automatically perform multi-factor authentication and encrypted communication protocols during the eSIM transfer process, reducing the burden on users while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250220412A1DIRECT eSIM TRANSFER BETWEEN WIRELESS DEVICES

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 APPLE INC

AI summary

The described embodiments set forth techniques for transferring an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) with the same integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID) value from a source mobile wireless device to a target mobile wireless device directly with a mobile network operator (MNO) provisioning server. The target mobile wireless device downloads the eSIM from the MNO provisioning server after deletion of the eSIM on the source mobile wireless device and reassignment of the eSIM with the same ICCID value to the target mobile wireless device.