eSIM Profile Metadata Provisioning via Mapping Table

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless telecommunication carriers face inefficiencies in purchasing pre-populated eSIM profiles from vendors, leading to unnecessary inventory and shortages due to forecasting errors, as they cannot customize or modify profile metadata after purchase.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where wireless communication carriers obtain unpopulated eSIM profiles and use a mapping table to populate them with specific metadata element values, allowing for customization and reducing waste by tailoring profiles to exact subscriber needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless telecommunication carriers purchase pre-populated eSIM profiles from vendors, then they can quickly obtain profiles for distribution, but they cannot customize or modify profile metadata after purchase, leading to unnecessary inventory and shortages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of obtaining eSIM profilesVSAvoidability to customize profile metadata
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The eSIM profile is segmented into two distinct parts: the base profile structure (which can be pre-prepared) and the metadata elements (which are customizable). This allows the carrier to efficiently obtain the base profile while separately customizing metadata such as ICCID, profile name, service provider name, and policy rules according to specific subscriber needs, thereby resolving the contradiction between quick provisioning and customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base eSIM profile structure is prepared in advance and stored in a profile repository, while the metadata customization is performed later during the provisioning process. This preliminary preparation of the profile framework enables rapid deployment, while the deferred metadata assignment maintains adaptability for different subscriber requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If wireless telecommunication carriers purchase pre-populated eSIM profiles with forecasted metadata combinations, then they can prepare inventory in advance, but forecasting errors lead to unsuitable inventory and shortages

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveeSIM profile inventoryVSAvoidaccuracy of metadata provisioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables carriers to self-serve by dynamically generating and customizing eSIM profile metadata through an automated process. The profile generation system automatically retrieves base profiles, customizes metadata according to subscriber-specific parameters, and provisions them without manual intervention. This eliminates the need for forecasting inventory combinations, as profiles are created on-demand with precise metadata matching each subscriber's requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic changing of metadata parameters (ICCID, profile name, service provider name, policy rules) after the base profile is established. This parameter flexibility enables the carrier to adjust profile characteristics to match exact subscriber needs without being constrained by pre-determined inventory combinations, thereby achieving both adequate inventory levels and high provisioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If wireless telecommunication carriers obtain unpopulated eSIM profiles and customize metadata using a mapping table, then they can reduce operational expenses by eliminating unsuitable inventory, but they must implement a more complex provisioning system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational expensesVSAvoidcomplexity of provisioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning system is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: retrieving base profiles from a repository, mapping metadata parameters according to subscriber requirements, customizing profile data, and provisioning to eUICCs. This multi-functional system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate processes, reducing operational complexity despite the added customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A mapping table acts as an intermediary between the base profile structure and the customized metadata. This intermediary component translates subscriber requirements into specific metadata values, automating the customization process and reducing the need for manual configuration. The mapping table simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a structured intermediary layer that manages the complexity of metadata provisioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3635983B1Esim profile metadata provisioning
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 T MOBILE US INC
  • EP3635983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3635983B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3635983B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A download order message is received from a business support function of a wireless communication carrier. The download order message is for initiating a preparation of an unpopulated eSIM profile for downloading to an EUICC on a user device. The unpopulated eSIM profile is an eSIM profile that lacks pre-populated profile metadata. A metadata provision value is extracted from the download order message. The metadata provision value is compared to a mapping table that maps profile metadata provision values to corresponding combinations of one or more metadata element values. Accordingly, a combination of one or more profile metadata element values for the unpopulated eSIM profile is identified based on the comparison of the metadata provision value to the mapping table. The combination of one or more profile metadata element values is then populated into the unpopulated eSIM profile to generate a populated eSIM profile.