eSIM Profile Management Framework for Network Resource Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current SIM and eSIM profile management systems are inefficient, leading to high network memory and bandwidth usage due to the need for bulk profile ordering and maintenance of inactive profiles, with limited flexibility and customization options, and vendor integration concerns.

Innovation Solution

An eSIM management framework that allows for on-demand profile creation and updating based on user preferences and device capabilities, reducing network resource consumption and providing flexible profile selection and dynamic updates, while decoupling clients from vendor integration and enabling just-in-time profile loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If SIM profiles are pre-loaded in bulk onto the network in advance, then devices can be activated quickly, but network memory usage increases significantly and expensive resources are wasted for extended periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice activation speedVSAvoidnetwork memory usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring SIM profiles with essential activation information before they are needed, allowing rapid device activation without permanently storing full profile data in network memory. Profiles are prepared in advance but only loaded into active memory when actually needed for device activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of SIM profile storage from permanent network memory residence to temporary on-demand loading. Profiles transition from a stored state to an active state only when needed, changing their temporal availability parameters to reduce overall network memory consumption while maintaining quick activation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If SIM profiles are maintained in network memory databases with geo-redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing geo-redundancy selectively only for active or frequently accessed SIM profiles rather than all profiles. Different locations maintain different subsets of profile data based on local demand, providing reliability where needed while reducing overall replication costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements discarding and recovering by allowing SIM profile data to be discarded from network memory after activation and instead stored locally on the device or in cloud storage. The profile data can be recovered on-demand if needed, reducing the need for permanent redundant storage across multiple geo-sites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If vendors have complete control over SIM life cycle management, then service quality is maintained, but partners face integration constraints and supply distribution concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidpartner integration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing SIM profile management into separate functional modules: profile creation, profile storage, profile distribution, and activation management. Different partners can integrate with specific modules according to their needs, maintaining service quality through standardized interfaces while increasing integration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary platform that sits between SIM vendors and partners, standardizing the interface and communication protocols. This intermediary layer maintains service quality by enforcing vendor standards while providing partners with flexible, standardized access points for integration without direct vendor dependency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If all SIMs are configured as warm SIMs with complete network access information, then activation is straightforward, but the ratio of active accounts to warm SIMs drops below 0.3-0.4 indicating significant resource waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation simplicityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by configuring SIM profiles with only the essential information needed for activation rather than complete network access information. Profiles contain minimal required data to enable activation, and additional network access parameters are provisioned on-demand after activation, reducing the number of warm SIMs needed while maintaining ease of activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10735944B2Framework for eSIM profile management

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 T MOBILE US INC

AI summary

An eSIM management framework can serve as an abstraction layer between various partners, mobile network operators, mobile-virtual network operators, and/or enterprises and SIM or eSIM vendors. The eSIM management framework can facilitate real-time SIM and/or eSIM profile provisioning to reduce consumption of network resources. In some examples, an eSIM management framework can facilitate just-in-time client-side provisioning, which can include on-demand generation of an appropriate SIM or eSIM profile.