eSIM Assignment for Carrier Channel Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face inefficiencies in managing and provisioning electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) for devices after manufacture, as existing methods require different device sets for various carriers, complicating inventory management and device functionality with specific carriers.
Innovation Solution
A system where devices are manufactured under a single product type identifier, with eSIMs provisioned after purchase by associating devices with carrier-specific SKU identifiers, allowing eSIM delivery servers to install carrier-specific profiles over the air, enabling devices to function with specific carriers upon user activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices are manufactured with different device sets for various carriers, then devices can function with specific carriers, but inventory management becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal device architecture where all devices contain the same core components and a single eUICC that can host multiple carrier profiles. This allows one device design to serve multiple carriers without requiring separate device sets, thereby simplifying inventory management while maintaining carrier-specific functionality through software-based profile switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic carrier profile switching on the eUICC, allowing devices to adapt to different carriers after manufacture. The eSIM delivery server dynamically provisions appropriate carrier profiles based on device identifiers and carrier assignments, eliminating the need for static carrier-specific hardware configurations.
2Reliability
If devices are manufactured with carrier-specific configurations, then devices can function with specific carriers, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs carrier-specific provisioning actions after manufacture rather than during manufacturing. Devices are manufactured with universal configurations and blank eUICCs, then carrier-specific profiles are remotely provisioned later through the eSIM delivery server based on device identifiers and carrier assignments, thereby decoupling manufacturing from carrier-specific configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts carrier-specific configuration data from the manufacturing process and places it in the remote provisioning system. The eUICC is provided in a neutral state during manufacturing, and carrier profiles are subsequently loaded remotely, separating the manufacturing process from carrier-specific customization.
3Ease of manufacture
If eSIMs are provisioned after manufacture through carrier channels, then supply chain management is simplified, but device activation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary eSIM reservation and profile preparation in advance of device activation. When a device is assigned to a carrier, the eSIM delivery server proactively reserves the appropriate carrier profile and prepares it for quick provisioning, reducing the actual activation time when the user activates the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automated self-service provisioning where the eSIM delivery server automatically matches devices with appropriate carrier profiles based on device identifiers and carrier assignments without manual intervention. This automation streamlines the provisioning process and reduces activation time while maintaining simplified supply chain management.
Data Source
AI summary
A pool of devices is initially associated under a single product type identifier, for example, a single stock keeping unit (SKU) identifier. Each device is associated with a secure element (SE), for example, an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC). A wireless telecommunications carrier purchases a subset of the devices from the owner of the pool of devices. A policy management server receives a shipment record and associates the subset of devices with a product identifier and with a carrier-specific activation policy. The policy management server sends an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) reservation request to a policy evaluation server, which contacts an eSIM delivery server associated with the purchasing carrier. The eSIM delivery server reserves eSIMs for the purchased devices. When an end user buys one of the devices from the subset, the purchased device is provisioned by the eSIM delivery server with the eSIM reserved for that device.