eSIM Card Pool Management via Software Profile Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing SIM card pool technology requires significant human intervention for management, especially when dealing with large numbers of physical SIM cards, as each card corresponds to a specific operator, making it cumbersome and time-consuming to add new operators without replacing SIM cards.

Innovation Solution

An eSIM-based card pool system that utilizes eSIM cards capable of downloading and using specified SIM profiles, allowing for operator changes by modifying profiles rather than replacing cards, featuring a provisioning manager, EID status manager, connection manager, and eSIM card pool unit for software-controlled management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If physical SIM cards are used in a card pool system, then each SIM card corresponds to a specific operator, but adding new operators requires purchasing and physically installing new SIM cards, making the process cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator flexibilityVSAvoidcard pool management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses virtual SIM cards that are software copies of physical SIM card functionality. Instead of physically installing new SIM cards for each operator, the system creates virtual copies that can be rapidly deployed and switched between operators through software control, eliminating the need for physical card replacement while maintaining operator-specific functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical SIM card installation and replacement process with a software-based system. The card pool management transitions from physically inserting and removing SIM cards to electronically provisioning and switching virtual SIM profiles through a provisioning manager, eliminating manual intervention and physical handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If physical SIM cards are used in large quantities (tens of millions or hundreds of millions), then the card pool system can serve many users, but manual management becomes almost impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of SIM cardsVSAvoidmanagement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated self-service mechanisms where the provisioning manager automatically provisions virtual SIM cards, manages profiles, and handles operator assignments without human intervention. The system autonomously manages the entire card pool lifecycle including activation, deactivation, and profile updates, making large-scale card pool management feasible through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the management functions from manual human operations and isolates them into an automated provisioning manager system. This separation allows the card pool system to independently handle provisioning, monitoring, and management tasks without requiring human intervention, enabling scalable management of millions of SIM cards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If physical SIM cards are used, then the system provides basic SIM card functionality, but requires significant human intervention for batch purchasing, verification, physical installation, and balance monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSIM card functionalityVSAvoidmanagement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary provisioning of virtual SIM cards and operator profiles in advance through automated processes. The provisioning manager pre-configures virtual SIM cards with necessary operator information and credentials before they are needed, eliminating the time-consuming processes of batch purchasing, verification, and physical installation that would otherwise be required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces all manual management operations with automated software-based processes. The provisioning manager automatically handles profile creation, verification, assignment, and monitoring without human intervention, replacing the mechanical processes of physical card handling, manual verification, and administrative oversight with efficient automated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240137336A1Esim-based card pool system and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.04.25 SKYROAM TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An eSIM-based card pool system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card pool unit comprising a plurality of eSIMs; an eSIM manager, comprising a database that stores corresponding relationships between a plurality of eSIM identifications and a plurality of eSIM addresses; and a connection manager, configured to request a first eSIM address from the eSIM manager based on a received download instruction, and write a specified eSIM profile into a first eSIM having the first eSIM address.