eSIM Profile Preloading for Wireless Privacy and Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networks face challenges in ensuring privacy and security, particularly in managing electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) profiles to protect user data and maintain secure connections.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves automatically loading an eSIM profile associated with a temporary service plan onto a computing device before making a call to an unknown phone number. This eSIM profile is selected based on the device's location and the called number, enhancing privacy and security by using temporary phone numbers with limited usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional SIM cards are used for wireless network connections, then user identity and service continuity are maintained, but privacy and security are compromised due to permanent phone number exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional single SIM card system into multiple eSIM profiles (permanent profile for continuity, temporary profiles for privacy protection). Each profile serves a specific function: the permanent profile maintains service continuity while temporary profiles mask the user's real phone number during calls to unknown numbers, thus resolving the contradiction between service continuity and privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporary eSIM profiles as intermediaries between the user's permanent identity and the external network. When calling unknown numbers, the temporary profile acts as a mediator that protects the user's real phone number while still enabling communication, thus maintaining service continuity without exposing private information.
2Reliability
If multiple eSIM profiles are stored and managed in the device, then privacy and security are improved through temporary numbers, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic eSIM profile selection and switching mechanisms that operate without user intervention. The system automatically detects when a call to an unknown number is initiated and switches to the appropriate temporary profile, then automatically switches back to the permanent profile after the call. This self-service automation reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining robust privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures multiple eSIM profiles including temporary profiles with limited usage before they are needed. These profiles are prepared in advance and stored in the eUICC, so when privacy protection is needed, the system can immediately activate the appropriate pre-prepared profile without requiring complex real-time decisions from the user.
3Reliability
If eSIM profiles are automatically switched based on call context, then privacy protection is enhanced, but system response time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading and caching the temporary eSIM profiles in the eUICC memory before they are needed. The profile data is prepared in advance and organized for quick access, so when a call to an unknown number is initiated, the system can rapidly switch profiles without extensive processing time, thus enhancing privacy protection while minimizing time loss.
4Reliability
If temporary eSIM profiles with limited usage are used, then privacy and security are improved, but service duration and availability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service duration into two distinct components: the permanent eSIM profile provides long-term service continuity and unlimited duration, while temporary eSIM profiles provide short-term privacy protection for specific calls. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both extended service duration through the permanent profile and enhanced privacy through temporary profiles with limited usage, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for improving the privacy and security of wireless communications by automatically preloading an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) profile associated with a temporary service plan prior to making a phone call to a particular phone number and by leveraging eSIM profiles to enable number portability are described. Before placing a call to a new or unknown phone number, a mobile phone may automatically identify a temporary eSIM profile from a pool of eSIM profiles based on a geographic location of the mobile phone and/or the particular phone number to be called. The temporary eSIM profile may be loaded into an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) of the mobile phone prior to placing the call to the new or unknown phone number.