eSIM Profile Transfer via Authentication Tokens Between Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users replacing electronic devices with eSIMs face the inconvenience of needing to access a communication service provider's server for authentication and profile download, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an eSIM includes a processor that facilitates seamless profile transfer by receiving an authentication token upon successful authentication, allowing it to transmit this token to another device for downloading a corresponding profile from the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable physical SIM card is used, then the user can easily transfer service between devices by inserting the SIM card, but the device structure becomes more complex and the SIM card can be easily lost or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SIM card functionality from the physical removable card and integrates it into the eSIM embedded in the device. The profile data (authentication information and phone numbers) is separated from the physical medium and can be remotely downloaded and installed, eliminating the need for physical SIM card slots and cards while maintaining service transferability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables creation and transfer of profile copies between devices. The authentication information and service data can be copied from one device to another through remote download, allowing service transfer without physical SIM card manipulation. Multiple profile copies can be created and managed digitally.
2Device complexity
If an eSIM is used, then the device structure is simplified and service transfer is more secure, but the user must access the server and complete authentication through a web page which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication and profile preparation actions. The system pre-generates authentication tokens and prepares profile data before the user needs to transfer service. The authentication process is initiated and partially completed in advance, so when profile transfer is needed, the user only needs to provide minimal input (such as a verification code) rather than completing full authentication through a web page.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism for profile transfer. Instead of requiring direct user interaction with the carrier server through web pages, the system uses an intermediary authentication token that can be transferred between devices. This token mediates the authentication process, allowing profile installation without direct server access while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If the eSIM profile is downloaded through the server, then the service transfer is more secure and reliable, but the process requires multiple steps including server access, authentication, and profile download which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the profile transfer process into distinct components: authentication token generation, token transfer, and profile installation. Each segment can be performed independently and in parallel. The authentication token is generated and transferred separately from the actual profile download, allowing these operations to occur concurrently and reducing total transfer time while maintaining security through the token mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication token is generated and prepared in advance as a preliminary action. This token contains pre-validated authentication information, so when profile transfer is initiated, the system already has the necessary credentials ready. This eliminates the need for real-time server authentication during the transfer process, significantly improving efficiency while maintaining the security benefits of server-based authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a communication module, an embedded-subscriber identification module (eSIM) in which at least one profile is stored, and a processor. The processor is configured to, when accessing a server and succeeding in authentication for a first profile among at least one profile stored in the eSIM, receive an authentication token indicating successful authentication for the first profile from the server, when establishing communication with a first electronic device through the communication module, inform the first electronic device that the first profile is transmittable data, and when transmission of the first profile is requested from the first electronic device, transmit, to the first electronic device, the authentication token for downloading a second profile corresponding to the first profile from the server.